The Staten Island Yankees scored five runs early and never looked back, handing the Brooklyn Cyclones a 5–2 loss last night at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on the Rock.
In the second, Clones starter Miller Diaz got roughed up for two runs when Kale Sumner and Bubba Jones each singled before Francisco Rosario drove them home with a double off the center-field wall.
The third inning spelled more trouble for the Clones, as three more runs came in, two of which came off a miscommunication in the outfield between Eris Peguero and Jorge Rivero, where the ball dropped between them.
Despite the tough start, the Cyclones saw stellar play from rookie first baseman Matt Oberste, who went 3–4 in just his second professional game, including a solo home run shot over the left field wall and an RBI single that sent equally inexperienced (but more recognizable) L.J. Mazzilli home.
Rich Donnelly, the Cyclones manager, was encouraged by what he saw from his young players.
“It’s great to see (Oberste) swinging the bat like that,” Donnelly said. “He had a base hit up the middle and a bullet to left field. And L.J.’s going to be a great player. Sometimes, you hear about all these guys, but it’s nice to see them do it in person.”
With the sweep, the Cyclones fall to 0–2 on the year Tuesday’s game was rained out and will make their official home opener tonight as they take on the Aberdeen IronBirds at 7 pm
Brooklyn Cyclones at MCU Park (Surf Avenue and W. 16th Street in Coney Island, www.brooklyncyclones.com) on June 20 at 7 pm.
