Comeback 'Clones Erase Four-Run Deficit to Stun 'Rocks

Brooklyn comes from four runs down to secure second-straight win

By Justin Rocke

July 4, 2023

BOX SCORE
PLAY-BY-PLAY WILMINGTON, Del. (July 4, 2023) — Trailing 4-0 entering the fifth and 4-1 going into the seventh, the Cyclones rallied for a run in the seventh, three in the eighth, and one more in the ninth, as Brooklyn stunned the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 6-4, on

WILMINGTON, Del. (July 4, 2023) — Trailing 4-0 entering the fifth and 4-1 going into the seventh, the Cyclones rallied for a run in the seventh, three in the eighth, and one more in the ninth, as Brooklyn stunned the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 6-4, on Tuesday evening at Frawley Stadium.

Behind by four going into the fifth, Brooklyn (7-3, 35-40) started to chip away. Three-straight singles from SS César Berbesi, 3B Junior Tilien, and LF Rhylan Thomas started the attack, loading the bases with nobody out. A run-scoring fielder’s choice off the bat of CF Alex Ramírez brought in a tally to cut the deficit to three.

After stranding the other two baserunners, Brooklyn pulled another run closer in the seventh. Tilien coaxed a leadoff walk and promptly moved to second on a bunt base hit from Thomas.

Both men moved to second and third following a fly out to right from Ramírez. 2B D’Andre Smith ripped a run-producing ground out to second, slicing Wilmington’s (4-6, 33-41) lead in half, 4-2.

In the eighth, the Cyclones grabbed the lead for good. DH Omar De Los Santos reached on a two-base throwing error to ignite the attack, while 1B Mateo Gil followed with a walk. Brooklyn then filled the bases on a single to left from C Drake Osborn.

Following a bases-loaded free pass to Berbesi that made it a one-run affair, Tilien slapped a liner that caromed off the pitcher’s foot. By the time the ball was retrieved, there was no play to be made. A run crossed on the infield knock to tie it at four.

With the bases still loaded, Thomas carried a sacrifice fly out to left — scoring Osborn — and giving Brooklyn their first lead, 5-4.

The Cyclones secured an insurance run in the ninth. RF Stanley Consuegra began the inning with a double to left but did not advance after consecutive strikeouts. Osborn then sliced a liner into left for an RBI single to stretch Brooklyn’s cushion to two, 6-4.

Wilmington mustered a two-out rally in the ninth, but could not complete the comeback. After back-to-back two-out walks, RHP Paul Gervase struck 2B Darren Baker out swinging to secure his third save of the season and a 6-4 Cyclones’ victory.

LHP Quinn Brodey (1-0) earned the first win of his professional pitching career out of the bullpen for Brooklyn. The southpaw tossed two scoreless innings and struck out a pair.

RHP Jeffrey Colón surrendered four runs (three earned) in the first three frames but accrued a quality start after hurling six frames in a no-decision for the ‘Clones.

RHP Holden Powell (0-1) surrendered the go-ahead run in the eighth and was saddled with his first defeat of the year with the Blue Rocks.

Despite tossing six innings of one-run ball, RHP Kyle Luckham took a no-decision for Wilmington.

Brooklyn will go for their third-straight triumph on Wednesday evening. RHP Tyler Stuart (3-0, 1.42) – Minor League Baseball’s ERA leader — is expected to toe the slab for the Cyclones. The Blue Rocks are projected to counter with RHP Bryan Cáceres (0-0, 6.75). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.