Cyclones' take 1-0 lead on Lucas Duda's HR, 4 RBI.
The third Ferry Series had its share of drama and excitement, as the McNamara Division Champion Brooklyn Cyclones scored 4 runs in the ninth to take Game 1 from the Wild Card Staten Island Yankees in their best-of-3 series.
Brooklyn got off to an early start in the top of second inning against starter Ryan Pope. A leadoff walk to 1B Jason Jacobs was followed by a ground rule double by 2B J.R. Voyles. After SS Matt Bouchard was called out on strikes, CF Raul Reyes’ infield single off the pitcher’s mound scored Jacobs and 3B Jake Eigsti sacrificed to score Voyles, giving Brooklyn a 2-run cushion.
But the home team wouldn’t be kept down for long, as the Baby Bombers roughed up Brooklyn starter Michael Antonini for 4 runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by an RBI double by C Jose Gil and a 2-run homer by LF Matt Morris.
With Brooklyn down 4-2, LF Lucas Duda took over.
After the rehabbing Ramon Castro singled with two outs in the top of the sixth, Duda hit what may well be the longest hone run in Cyclones history - a monstrous shot over the center field wall careening off the black background to tie up the game at 4-4.
The combination of Will Morgan and Stephen Clyne (1-0) kept the Staten Island offense at bay throughout the middle innings, not allowing a hit, giving the Cyclones their shot at late game theatrics.
The high drama came in the top of the ninth with the game still tied thanks to reliever Ryan Zink who kept the ‘Clones off the board in the seventh & eighth innings. After a Matt Bouchard walk with one out, Raul Reyes singled, prompting Yankees manager Mike Gillespie to turn to the Baby Bombers’ closer Johnathan Ortiz.
Ortiz had been masterful in 2007 and ended the season 3rd in saves (13) and boasted a 1.80 ERA. But once again, playoff baseball proved to be nothing like the regular season as Ortiz loaded the bases after a Jake Eigsti single. With the infield in, Brooklyn took the lead on a throwing error by 1B Taylor Holiday to the plate that Jose Gil couldn’t handle, allowing Bouchard to slide home safely. Ortiz then walked DH Micah Shilling with the bases still loaded to give Brooklyn a two run advantage. After striking out PH Cesar Cordido, Duda struck again with a 2 RBI single to right field, securing a 4 run lead.
Duda would end the day with 4 RBI and one of the more memorable games for a Brooklyn ballplayer. “I’m just glad we won,” Duda told milb.com. “the (single) just found a hole. Luck was on my side today.”
The Baby Bombers wouldn’t go down without a fight, as they threatened in the bottom of the ninth by getting two runners on base before closer Eddie Kunz struck out Taylor Holiday to end the game and give Brooklyn the first game of the series.
FERRY SERIES NOTES: The scene now shifts to Keyspan Park in Brooklyn for Game 2, as Brooklyn sends ace Dylan Owen (9-1, 1.49) to the mound. No announcement has been made as to who the Yankees will start.
NY Mets catcher Ramon Castro was added to the Brooklyn lineup early Sunday morning, and will be rehabbing again in Brooklyn for Game 2 of the NYPL Playoff Series. Castro went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored… SS Matt Bouchard had a game he’d like to forget, going 0-for-3 with 2 strikeouts and made an uncharacteristic error in the field… starter Michael Antonini was hit with a comebacker in the first inning on his pitching hand, but remained in the game.
Yankees SS Justin Snyder had one of the games biggest defensive highlights of the game in the top of the 8th inning. With runners on 1st and 3rd and two out, Snyder made a game saving catch, diving at a liner in the hole smashed by Jason Jacobs to end the Brooklyn threat… starter Ryan Pope has a tremendous 5th inning after Staten Island took the lead, striking out the side.
Cyclones' take 1-0 lead on Lucas Duda's HR, 4 RBI.