Cyclones Claim Victory in Wild Win Over ‘Claws

• BOX SCORE

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (April 18, 2024) — 2B Wilfredo Lara and 1B Ryan Clifford provided massive run-scoring singles in the top of the eighth, as the Brooklyn Cyclones rallied to knock off the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 6-4, on Thursday night at ShoreTown Ballpark

With the game tied, the bases empty, and two out in the eighth, CF Omar De Los Santos sprung a rally for the Cyclones (5-7) with a walk. After advancing to second on a balk, Lara delivered the go-ahead knock.

The 19-year-old looped a run-scoring single in front of the right fielder — his third hit of the night — to score De Los Santos and provide Brooklyn a 5-4 lead.

Following an intentional walk to LF Stanley Consuegra and a pitching change, Clifford delivered one last blow. The North Carolina native took an outside pitch and roped it into left field for a knock. Lara scampered around to score, stretching the Cyclones' advantage to 6-4.

RHP Joshua Cornielly (1-1) worked a perfect eighth inning to earn the win and RHP Justin Lawson tossed a spotless ninth to secure the win and his second save.

After Jersey Shore (7-5) tallied the contest’s first run on a SS Erick Brito single in the third, the offense remained dormant until a very wacky seventh inning.

Trailing 1-0, RF Joe Suozzi walked, C Christian Pregent reached on a fielding error, and De Los Santos was plunked to load the bases.

With two out, Consuegra chased in Brooklyn’s first run, tying the game with a four-pitch walk.

Clifford got drilled in the foot, which forced in the go-ahead tally. A wild pitch with SS William Lugo at the plate skidded to the backstop, allowing De Los Santos to score. Back-to-back free passes to Lugo and 2B Junior Tilien brought in another run, extending the Cyclones' lead up to three, 4-1.

However, the lead did not last long. Jersey Shore quickly filled the bases in the bottom of the seventh on singles by 3B Zach Arnold and 1B Chad Castillo, plus a walk to Brito. LF Emaarion Boyd worked a five-pitch free pass to pull the BlueClaws within a pair, 4-2. After a pitching change, CF Justin Crawford was hit in the foot on a backfoot slider, making it a one-run contest.

With just one out, 1B Felix Reyes hit a pop fly into shallow center field. While an infield fly was called, the ball was dropped in the outfield. The leather was quickly picked up, but an errant toss to third allowed Brito to race home, tying the game at four.

Neither starter received a decision after outstanding performances. RHP Noah Hall put together the best start of his young professional career, hurling five innings of one-run, four-hit ball, the longest start of the year by a Cyclones' pitcher. RHP Jean Cabrera was outstanding as well, not allowing a run on five hits over six frames.

RHP Gunner Mayer (0-1) took the loss for Jersey Shore out of the bullpen, surrendering the go-ahead runs in the eighth.

Brooklyn will try to even the series on Friday, with LHP Felipe De La Cruz (0-0, 0.00) expected to start, looking to extend his 8.1-inning scoreless streak to start the year. Jersey Shore projects to counter with RHP Eiberson Castellano (0-0, 1.17). The first pitch from ShoreTown Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.