Hudson Valley 4
Cyclones 1
Aug. 31 at MCU Park
The Cyclones faithful came out in droves Friday night to see their boys take it to the first place Hudson Valley Renegades and keep their hopes alive for a sixth McNamara Division title.
Two hours and 54 minutes later, those that remained of the announced crowd of 5,260 left to the somber notes of a funeral dirge, as the Cyclones managed just two measly singles on the night, one of which didn’t even get past the opposing pitcher.
Things unravelled quickly.
With two outs and a runner on first in the opening frame, starter Kyle Wilson allowed back-to-back singles, pushing Renegade Ford Proctor around the bases.
The Clones answered in the bottom of the frame without the benefit of a hit when Dylan Tice walked with one out and quickly stole second. An error by Hudson Valley second baseman Jonathan Aranda off the bat of Carlos Cortes allowed Tice to scurry home from second, giving that crowd its only reason to cheer on the night.
Soon, the game would be over, even though it was less than an hour old.
Because in the third, a lead-off single by Tanner Dodson was followed by a run-scoring double by Proctor, who soon came home on a Kaleo Johnson fielder’s choice, putting Brooklyn down by two.
One inning later, a two-out double by Dodson scored Michael Smith, who had singled before him.
The bad news: With the loss, the Cyclones were eliminated from contention for the McNamara Division crown Friday night when the Renegades roughed-up starter Kyle Wilson for four runs in four innings.
The worse news: The Clones (38–34) fell a half game behind the Auburn Doubledays (39–34), who won yesterday, and will most likely have to sweep the hated Staten Island Yankees (36–34) in a crucial three-game, home-away-home Battle of the Boroughs this Labor Day weekend for the only Wild Card spot.
The final chapter of the 2018 Cyclones season starts tonight at 6 pm at MCU Park.
Godspeed.
— with Vince DiMiceli
