Parada, Cyclones Clip IronBirds for Father's Day Victory

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ABERDEEN, Md. (June 18, 2023) — C Kevin Parada picked up two hits and added a two-run home run in the ninth inning, as the Brooklyn Cyclones earned a series split with a 7-3 triumph over the Aberdeen IronBirds on Sunday afternoon from Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.

Scoreless through six innings, Brooklyn (27-35) scratched the scoreboard first in the seventh.

3B Chase Estep and DH Drake Osborn coaxed walks to start the inning, bringing up 1B Mateo Gil. The 22-year-old roped a line drive into left field for an extra-base knock. Two runs scored, as Gil coasted into second with a double, giving the Cyclones a 2-0 lead.

After a wild pitch moved Gil to third, RF Scott Ota lofted a sacrifice fly to right, extending the advantage to three.

In the bottom of the inning, Aberdeen (31-31) rallied.

2B Frederick Bencosme started the attack with a single and swiped second base before consecutive walks to DH Silas Ardoin and 1B Jacob Teter saturated the bags. CF Luis Valdez followed with a two-run ground-rule double to center, pulling the IronBirds within one, 3-2.

RHP Paul Gervase entered with the tying and go-ahead runs at second and third but kept the lead intact. The former Louisiana State induced a pop-up, registered a strikeout, and produced a ground out to second to keep the Cyclones ahead into the eighth.

Brooklyn snatched the two runs back in the top of the eighth. 2B D’Andre Smith ignited the rally with a double to right-center, while RF Jaylen Palmer was plunked with a pitch. Following a ground out that moved the men to second and third, Osborn stung a worm burner through the left side of the infield. Two runners crossed on the one-base knock, placing the ‘Clones back up three, 5-2.

In the ninth, Parada played long ball. After a free pass to CF Alex Ramírez that started the fray, Parada jumped ahead in the count 3-1 and obliterated an offering off the scoreboard in left-center field for a two-run home run. The Los Angeles native’s fifth blast of the campaign provided Brooklyn a five-run edge, 7-2.

The IronBirds put up a fight in the bottom of the frame, bringing the tying run to the plate, but could not complete the comeback.

Following a Valdez double and an error that allowed him to take third, SS Jackson Holliday clocked a run-producing single to right. Despite a pair of subsequent walks that loaded the bases, RHP Joshua Cornielly slammed the door shut.

The native of Caraças, Venezuela garnered a punch out and a ground out to second to close out the Cyclones’ 7-3 triumph.

innings of shutout ball, striking out six en route to his third win of 2023.

Neither starter received a decision on Sunday. RHP Cameron Foster posted two perfect innings in an abbreviated start for the Cyclones, while RHP Kyle Virbitsky hoisted five shutout frames for the ‘Birds.

Brooklyn’s LHP Eli Ankeney (2-0) composed two spotless innings of relief, collecting his second win in the South Atlantic League. RHP Ignacio Felíz (1-5) permitted three runs for Aberdeen in the seventh and was saddled with his fifth defeat.

After the league-wide off day on Monday, Brooklyn returns to Maimonides Park for a two-week homestand, starting with six games against the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, on Tuesday. The Renegades are projected to give the ball to RHP Tyrone Yulie (2-4, 4.69). The Cyclones have yet to announce a probable starter for the lid-lifter. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.