The homer streak
The Cyclones’ bats came alive last week as the Clones hit seven home runs in seven games. The majority of the damage came on Aug. 25, when the Clones’ hitters drove four homers en route to putting up 12 in a victory over the Vermont Lake Monsters.
During the week, Jonathan Clark, James “Papa” Roche, and Jared King each hit one homer, and L.J. “Mini-Maz” Mazzilli and Alex Sanchez each had a pair. Sanchez’s second came during the Aug. 25 explosion, and it was the first grand slam of the season for the Cyclones.
Cyclones on fire
The Clones have caught fire at the right time with just more than one week to go in the season. The Boys of Summer won four straight games, leading up to Monday last week, including a sweep of Vermont. In those four games, the Cyclones hit .290 from the plate, totaled 32 runs compared to the opponents’ eight. The Clones also hit six of the team’s seven homers during this stretch. But even though the hot streak has come at the perfect time of year, the stubborn Aberdeen IronBirds did not relinquished the division lead, having won three of four in the same time span to keep a half a game division lead.
Two pitchers
It didn’t hurt Brooklyn that during the streak, the team had two exceptional pitching performances to keep the opponents’ bats silent. On Aug. 23, Miller Diaz struck out 11 Lake Monsters, while allowing only three hits and three walks during the seven innings on the mound. Juan Urbina entered in the eighth to notch the easiest save of the year, as the Clones already led 10–0.
On Aug. 24, Rob “Not-so-silent G” Gsellman topped that performance with a career day of his own. He struck out 13 batters, while allowing just two hits and one walk in eight innings of work. Johnny Magliozzi entered in the final inning to get the quick save.
Infinity has an end
Patrick “To infinity and” Biondi injured his hand two weeks ago and did not play at all last week. Manager Rich Donnelly would not rule him out for the entire season, but said it is doubtful he will be able to contribute to the final stretch for the Cyclones’ season. Biondi batted .249 on the year, with 29 runs and 14 RBIs.
The final countdown
The Clones have less than 10 games left in the season. If they can continue the solid play present last week, it will all come down to a two-game home set against Aberdeen on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
The season ends with three away games against the hated Steeler Division titans, the Tri-City Valley Cats.
