The six Brooklyn Cyclones who were selected to the New York-Penn League All-Star team had a huge impact on Tuesday night’s game — for better and for worse, it turned out.
Jason Jacobs, who was an All-Star last year, too, started the game at catcher and went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Cyclone ace Dylan Owen pitched the second inning — a 1-2-3 frame against the rival American League affiliate players.
But when the game was on the line — with the National League affiliate players holding a 4–3 lead in the eighth, All-Star manager Edgar Alfonzo summoned Will Morgan from the bullpen. Morgan gave up a single, then got an out before he was pulled.
That run eventually came around to score and was charged to Morgan.
Tough break.
The three other Cyclone All-Stars — Jake Eigsti, Matt Bouchard and Brandon Kawal — had mixed nights. Eigsti was 0-for-3; Bouchard was 2-for-3, though he made an error at short; and Brandon Kawal struck out in his only at-bat.
Alfonzo, who was named manager by dint of the Cyclones’ league-best record, didn’t care what happened out there.
“As far as I’m concerned,” he said, “all my guys are All-Stars.”
He makes a good point.
• Owen has been Brooklyn’s lone pitching selection. The right-hander has a 6-1 record with a 2.05 ERA. His control has been a big part of his success as he’s struck-out 48 and walked only nine.
• Jacobs is hitting .287 with seven homers and 31 RBI. He’s been outstanding in handling the league’s best pitching staff, and he’s also been playing some first base.
• Bouchard has been a stand-out defensively, so he made the All-Stars despite a batting average of only .236.
• Eigsti is hitting .303 with a pair of homers and 26 RBI.
• Kawal is batting .311 for the Cyclones, and has played solid defense.
• Morgan has allowed only 13 hits in 26 innings. The right-hander has a 2-0 record with two saves. Morgan has struck out 36 batters and allowed a mere eight walks.
