Gil's Grand Slam Helps 'Clones Roll Past 'Gades

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WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (May 18, 2023) — The Cyclones took the lead in the first inning on Thursday night and never looked back. LF Alex Ramírez tallied three hits and 3B Mateo Gil clubbed a grand slam, as Brooklyn baffled the Hudson Valley Renegades, 6-1, from Heritage Financial Park.

RHP Cameron Foster posted a career-high six innings and permitted just one unearned run on four hits to earn the first victory of his professional career for the ‘Clones.

2B César Berbesi ignited the offense in the opening frame, leading off the contest for the Cyclones (13-20) with a single. He would steal second base and DH Kevin Parada walked to set the stage for Ramírez.

On a 2-2 offering, the 20-year-old sent a laser down the line in left for a double. Berbesi scored and Parada stopped at third, as Brooklyn snared a 1-0 lead. After a strikeout, CF Jaylen Palmer carried a sacrifice fly out to right to double the lead.

Hudson Valley (22-14) trimmed the lead in half in the fifth. 3B Ben Cowles walked to start the inning and moved to second on an infield hit by RF Aldenis Sánchez.

After an infield fly pop up to second, DH Spencer Jones smacked a ground ball to second. Brooklyn was able to get the force at second, but the throw to first kicked away. Cowles scored to pull the Renegades within one, 2-1.

Following a flyout that ended the rally for Hudson Valley, the Cyclones retaliated in a massive way in the top of the sixth.

Ramírez put the gears in motion with a leadoff free pass and took second on a knock up the middle from SS William Lugo. Following a one-out fielding error that loaded the bases, the Renegades made a pitching change.

RHP Harold Cortijo came on and punched out the first batter he faced, but his second toss to Gil never returned. The 22-year-old kept a towering fly ball fair around the left-field pole for a grand slam. Gil’s second blast of the season ballooned Brooklyn’s lead to five, 6-1.

The Cyclones' bullpen slammed the door shut from there. RHP Manny Rodríguez worked 1.2 innings of scoreless relief before RHP Wilkin Ramos entered and tallied the game’s final four outs, sealing the Brooklyn victory.

RHP Zach Messinger only permitted two earned runs (five total) over 5.1 innings but was saddled with his second defeat for the ‘Gades.

The Cyclones will try and match their longest winning streak of the season on Friday. RHP Joander Suárez (0-2, 9.00) is expected to take the hill for Brooklyn. Hudson Valley is projected to counter with RHP Juan Carela (1-1, 4.68). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. from Heritage Financial Park.