Cyclones 1
Williamsport 0
August 26 at Williamsport
The Cardiac Clones grabbed a much-needed win on Friday night, topping Williamsport 1–0 in the series opener. Brooklyn’s postseason hopes remained alive with the win – the Cyclones are just one game shy of elimination.
The game began as a pitchers duel as Harol Gonzalez and JoJo Romero matched zeroes for the first five innings before the Cyclones scored in the sixth.
Michael Paez led off the frame with a ground-rule double to left. Ali Sanchez drove Paez in with a two-out single, putting Brooklyn on the board. It was the only run the Cyclones would need all night.
Romero gave up just four hits in six innings of work, walking none and striking out five.
Gonzalez wasn’t quite as dominant – giving up at least one hit in all but one inning – however he was able to work himself out of a few jams and stranded each of the Williamsport baserunners.
The Crosscutters threatened in the seventh as Gregori Rivero’s one-out infield single ended the night for Gonzalez. Brooklyn skipper Tom Gamboa called on Alejandro Castro to preserve the lead.
Pinch-runner Jesus Alastre stole second, but Castro struck out Chandler Hall and got Juan Luis on a groundout to third to end the inning and shutdown the potential rally.
Gonzalez pitched six-and-one-third innings of shutout ball, scattering seven hits, allowing one walk, and striking out four. The righty improved to 6–2 with a 1.57 earned run average.
Joseph Zanghi picked up his seventh save with two shutout innings. The right-hander struckout three Crosscutters.
The 33–33 Cyclones are back in action on Saturday in Williamsport.
UPS AND DOWNS
With the squad’s 33rd win, the Cyclones have matched the win total from last season.
Former Cyclone Wilmer Flores hit a grand slam against the Phillies on Friday night.
