A Recap of Brooklyn's last homestand and future happenings at Keyspan Park.
The Cyclones are holding fast to their first place spot in the McNamara Division, five games ahead of the rival Staten Island Yankees. In recent games the ‘Clones have won a series, lost a series and tied a series.
In their three game series against the Tri-City Valley Cats, affiliate of the Houston Astros, the Cyclones won the series 2-1. The team lost the first game 8-6 but came back in the next two games winning 11-2 on Saturday and 7-3 on Sunday. In Saturday’s game outfielder Will Vogl hit a rocket over the right field wall, becoming only the second right handed batter in Cyclones history to hit a homerun to right field. Eric Niesen took the loss in Friday’s game while Dillon Gee and Nick Waechter got the wins on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
On Sunday July 22, former Dodger Don Newcombe made an appearance at Keyspan Park. He was honored with a banner under the press box and a promotional bobble head in his likeness. Newcombe threw out the first pitch of the game and stayed to sign autographs for anxious fans.
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After an off day on Monday July, 23, the Cyclones hit the road to play a three game series against the Batavia Muckdogs, affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The series was cut to two games after the third game on Thursday July 26 was cancelled due to rain. The team won the first game 9-3 and lost the second game 5-3, splitting the series with the Muckdogs. Dylan Owen received the win in the first game and relief pitcher Steve Cheney got the loss in the last game of the series.
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The ‘Clones returned home on Friday July 27 to face the Vermont Lake Monsters, affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Historically one of the more futile teams in the New York – Penn League, Vermont won the series 2-1 in some of the most exciting games of the season. Friday’s match-up remained scoreless until the top of the 10th inning when the Lake Monsters scored the first and only run of the game. Then things took a turn for the worse.
In the first pitch in the bottom of the 10 inning J.R. Voyles, in his first game back in the lineup after a strained hamstring, was hit in the head by a pitch in the face. Voyles was unable to get up by himself and had to be brought off the field by a stretcher and taken to Lutheran Hospital.
Voyles received treatment which reported included 46 stitches over his eye. He has since recovered but is badly bruised.
While Voyles was being taken off the field, another unique event occurred at Keyspan Park. The Coney Island Fireworks started, and as always the sights were beautiful, but a lack of wind that night resulted in the smoke from the fireworks lingering over the field for a prolonged period of time, thus delaying the game further – a first for a stadium that has seen delays for rain, fog, and brownout.
The game continued and the Lake Monsters won the game 1-0. Relief pitcher Dan McDonald took the loss, giving him a 1-1 record.
The Cyclones tied up the series on Saturday winning the game 2-1. It proved to be yet another “pitchers’ duel.” Vermont scored in the second inning but was held scoreless for the rest of the game. The Clones scored the tying run in the fifth inning and the game, once again went into extra innings. The Cyclones won the game in the 10 inning on a sacrifice bunt by Jake Eigsti and a throwing error by Vermont’s pitcher Edulin Abreu. Relief pitcher Will Morgan received the win improving his record to 2-0.
The rubber match on Sunday July 29 was Jewish Heritage Night at Keyspan Park. The night’s festivities included of a knish eating contest, and the singing of the Israeli National Anthem. The game was less of a nail-biter than the previous two games as The Lake Monsters won the game 4-1. Vermont’s pitching staff held the ‘Clones scoreless until the ninth inning when Brooklyn loaded the bases and a long sac fly by Chris Fournier scored one run before Jeffries Tatford struck out to end the game. Dylan Owen received his first loss, giving him a 5-1 record.
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The Cyclones took off to play a three game series with Lowell - which they took two out of three - followed by a three game series with Oneonta until the return home on Sunday August 5 to play the Aberdeen Ironbirds, affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Cyclones are giving out a bobble head of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz as their promotional item of the game. Other upcoming events consist of Camp Day on Monday August 6; the first pitch is scheduled for 12 noon. There will also be fireworks on Friday August 10.
