See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Will Bredderman
Brooklyn Daily
Cyclones 2
Aberdeen IronBirds 1
Aug. 27 at Ripken Stadium
Another strong start from hurler Rainy Lara and a long ball by first baseman Jayce Boyd lifted the Clones over the Aberdeen IronBirds in the first night of a two-game stand in Maryland.
Lara picked up his eighth win of the season, pitching six solid innings without giving up a run, while fanning four batters and allowing just three hits and one walk.
IronBirds starter Lex Rutledge was also dominant in his three innings on the mound, giving up just one hit and one walk and no earned runs. The hit was a single off the bat of first baseman Richie Rodriguez to open up the third. Left fielder Julio Concepcion then reached on a missed catch by IronBirds first baseman Cameron Edman, allowing Rodriguez to move up to second. A ground out by third baseman Dimas Ponce sent Rodriguez and put the Clones up by one.
In the next frame, Aberdeen skipper Gary Allenson called in reliever Jaime Esquivel, who gave up just three hits and one run in four innings pitched. But that one run was Boyd’s solo blast to left, which gave the Clones all the edge they needed.
The Ironbirds attempted to rally in the ninth, after closer Tyler Vanderheiden gave up a double to Edman, then plunked right fielder Manuel Hernandez with two outs. Left fielder Will Howard laced one to Concepcion to drive Edman in, but catcher Chase Weems whiffed to end the game.
The Cyclones now trail the McNamara Division-leading Hudson Valley Renegades by six games, and hold the top slot in the wild card race by a mere two-and-a-half games over the Batavia Muckdog.
The Cyclones are home again at MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 17th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449–8497, www.brooklyncyclones.com] on Aug. 30 at 7 pm as they take on the Hudson Valley Renegades.
Reach reporter Eli Rosenberg at erosenberg@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2531. And follow him at twitter.com/emrosenberg.