Cyclones Can’t Topple Blue Rocks, 6-5, in Finale

WILMINGTON, Del. (May 14, 2023) — An RBI single to center by 3B Trey Lipscomb in the bottom of the eighth provided Wilmington its third win in their final at-bat in the last three days, as the Blue Rocks bested the Brooklyn Cyclones, 6-5, on Sunday afternoon at Frawley Stadium.

Even at five, SS Jordy Barley worked a one-out walk to start the Blue Rocks’ (17-15) rally. After stealing second base, the 23-year-old moved up to third on a fly out to right.

Following an intentional walk to CF James Wood, Lipscomb fell behind in the count 0-2. On the third pitch of the plate appearance, the former Tennessee Volunteer hammered a base hit to center, giving the Blue Rocks a 6-5 lead.

Wilmington initially jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the first. 2B Viandel Peña singled and back-to-back doubles from RF Jacob Young and Wood, quickly propelled the Blue Rocks in front, 2-0. An RBI single by DH Will Frizzell capped the three-run frame.

The Cyclones (11-19) started to chip away immediately in the second. CF Stanley Consuegra reached on a dropped third strike and scored all the way from first on SS William Lugo’s double to left. He would later score on 3B Chase Estep’s ground out, pulling Brooklyn within one, 3-2.

Brooklyn drew even in the third. 1B Joe Suozzi walked to start the inning and scooted into scoring position on an infield hit by LF Kevin Kendall. The Glen Cove, N.Y. native swiped third base and scored to tie the game when the throw by the catcher sailed into left field.

In the fourth, the Cyclones grabbed the lead. Estep started the rally with a single and 2B-3B Mateo Gil followed with a sinking line drive into left. The diving attempt by the left fielder came up empty and the ball rolled all the way to the fence. Estep scored on Gil’s three-base hit, placing Brooklyn ahead for the first time, 4-3. A sacrifice fly to right by Suozzi stretched the advantage to two, 5-3.

Wood doubled and scored on a C Caleb Farmer single in the fifth, whittling Wilmington’s deficit to one.

In the seventh, Wood provided a massive knock again. On the first pitch of the frame, the Washington Nationals top prospect cracked a solo home run beyond the fence in center. His fifth blast of the season tied the game at five.

Neither starter received a decision on Sunday. Brooklyn’s RHP Christian Scott whiffed a season-high four and hurled a season-best three innings in his second start of the series. Blue Rocks LHP Andrew Alvarez was charged with five runs (four earned) over four frames.

RHP Tyler Schoff (3-1) punched out four hitters over 1.2 innings, earning his third win for Wilmington. RHP Jace Beck (1-2) was saddled with his second defeat for the Cyclones.

Following Monday’s league-wide off day, the Cyclones will continue their two-week road trip in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. against the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Neither side has announced a probable starter for the lid-lifter. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. from Heritage Financial Park.