Staten Island 2
Cyclones 1
June 18 at Staten Island
The Cyclones were no-hit by the hated Staten Island Yankees in a 2–1, 10-inning loss in Staten Island on Saturday night. At least it didn’t take 20 innings.
But now the Cyclones are 0–2 after a pair of tough losses.
“Right out of the gate to play 30 innings in two days, the guys are beaten down,” manager Tom Gamboa said. “The hitters, you could see everybody pressing. They’re taking the good strikes and swinging at the balls in the dirt, which is what happens when you press.”
Brooklyn actually scored in the first inning as Enmanuel Zabala was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a walk, advanced to third on a force out and scored on a Drew Finley wild pitch.
In the second, Nick Sergakis was hit by a pitch but was stranded at second. He was the last Cyclone to reach base.
Cyclones starter Harol Gonzalez pitched well before running into trouble in the fourth. With two outs and nobody on, Kane Sweeney doubled to right field and scored when Timmy Robinson followed with a single. The Yankees loaded the bases but Gonzalez got Yonauris Rodriguez on a pop-up to second to end the inning.
Gonzalez gave up one run in five innings.
“I thought Harol changed speeds good. He pitched great,” Gamboa said. “For his young years, he has a terrific feel for taking the sting out of a hitter’s swing by putting something on, taking something off. He’s got very good command.”
Josh Roeder entered the game for the Evil Empire of the New York-Penn League in the seventh inning and struck out 10 of the 12 Cyclones he faced, including the first eight in a row.
Brooklyn reliever Bryce Beeler also looked strong as he pitched four shutout innings, allowing only one walk.
Because of a depleted bullpen, Gamboa called on Adrian Almeida to pitch the 10th. With one out, Almeida hit Dalton Blaser and walked Josh Thomas-Dotson. With Sweeney at the plate, a wild pitch sent the runners to second and third. While an intentional walk would have loaded the bases and set up a force at home, Almeida’s lack of control took that option away.
“The reason he’s been in extended [spring training] for three years is because he’s got real good stuff and he can’t find home plate,” Gamboa said. “You’ll never see a time we would ever put anybody on with him on the mound because we’re hoping he can throw strikes to begin with.”
Sweeney singled through the hole between third and short to score Blaser with the winning run.
The winless Cyclones host the Tri-City Valley Cats on Sunday at 4 pm There’s still a lot to look forward to as the Cyclones look for win number one.
“Sooner or later we’re going to get a hit and we’re going to get a multiple run inning,” Gamboa said.
