Vermont 5
Cyclones 2
July 25 at MCU Park
It was Christmas in July at the ballpark but this game was no gift for the Cyclones, as Octavio Acosta struggled to find his groove on the mound against the Lake Monsters.
The Lake Monsters got on the board first in the second inning as Acosta uncharacteristically gave up three one-out singles that loaded the bases, then gave the Monsters their first run of the night.
The Clones used the Lake Monsters’ own pitching struggles to their advantage in the third as Michael Conforto plated Jhoan Urena with a double after Urena reached on a four-pitch walk to start off the inning. The Clones took the lead in the fourth when Tucker Tharp hit a sacrifice fly to plate Tyler Moore, who had made it to first with a leadoff double.
Acosta found himself in another jam during the fifth inning after a bunt single, then an error by Jhoan Urena allowed the leadoff man to get to second. A hit batter gave the Monsters first and second, and a double and two singles plated three Lake Monsters. Acosta pitched five innings, gave up two hits, walked three, and struck out two.
The Cyclones look to take back the series tonight at 6 pm before going on the road on Sunday.
Ups and downs
Home is where the runs are
The Cyclones have had four straight games at home at MCU Park in which they have out-scored their opponents 26-to-8.
Christmas in July
The Cyclones celebrated Christmas several months early during Friday night’s game. Christmas songs played and Santa and his elves made an appearance.
Still striking out
Despite the Cyclones’ recent success at the plate, they are still striking out more than any other team in the New York–Penn League. In 1,280 team at-bats they have struck out 353 times.
