Hudson Valley 8, Brooklyn 2

The Brooklyn Cyclones (40-21) lost by a score of 8-2 to the Hudson Valley Renegades (30-31) on Monday night at Dutchess Stadium. The Cyclones managed only three hits and surrendered six runs in the first inning -- a deficit from which they would not recover. Brooklyn's "magic number" remains at six with 15 games left to play in the regular season.

SS Wilfredo Tovar notched a single to centerfield in the fourth inning. 1B Jeff Flagg then belted a controversial ground-rule to put runners on second and third before 3B Joe Bonfe put the Cyclones on the board with a two-out single that plated both runners for the only Cyclones runs of the evening.

Starter Yohan Almonte allowed six runs (five earned) -- all in the first inning. Almonte had only allowed six earned runs over his previous 54.0 innings, and despite the poor outing, his ERA raises to only 2.23 on the year. Almonte went four innings on Monday night, surrendering seven hits. He was relieved by LHP Brian Needham who provided two scoreless innings, allowing one hit. RHP Samuel Taveras pitched the seventh and eighth innings and gave up two runs on three hits.