Brooklyn loses 5-4, down 1-0 in best of three series.

Hudson Valley Renegades 5 Brooklyn Cyclones 4 (box).

As New York Giant legend Frankie Frisch would say “Oh, those bases on balls!"  That is the undoing of many a pitcher and it did in Wednesday’s Brooklyn pitcher, Michel Otanez.  The 22 year old Dominican native walked 4 men and hit a batter in 4 plus innings and three of these came in to score.  Michel gave up just three hits but they were all of the extra base hit variety, a double and two home runs, and sandwiched around walks, you will have trouble.

Brooklyn had lots of fight though and displayed their typical aggressive base running.  Maybe a little too aggressive this time.

Twice Brooklyn came from behind to tie the game even taking the lead at 4-3.

After being down 1-0, Antoine Duplantis hit a ground rule double and Jake Mangum promptly singled him in taking second on the throw to tie the game at 1-1.  Wilmer Reyes followed with a single, but Jake blew by Edgardo Alfonzo’s stop sign at third and was thrown out at the plate.

In the fourth, after falling behind 3-1, Brooklyn rallied again.  Joe Genord hit a pop up to the infield that the Hudson Valley catcher did not handle.  Genord never stopped running and wound up on second base.  After Hudson Valley starter Jayden Murray struck out Yoel Romero and Ranfy Adon, Jose Peroza singled in Genord at a close play at the plate, Hudson Valley 3 – Brooklyn 2. 

After a passed ball and a walk to Jake Ortega, it was first and third with Antoine Duplantis at the plate.  Jake Ortega broke for second.  As the Hudson Valley catcher threw to second, Jose Peroza broke for home.  The Hudson valley Shortstop dropped the ball and Peroza scored as Jake got into a rundown.  Game tied 3-3.

The top of the fifth, Antoine Duplantis singled, Jake Mangum reached on a error, Wilmer Reyes hit behind the runners moving them to second and third.  Luke Ritter grounded to the shortstop who threw out Jake advancing to third but Duplantis scored and Brooklyn led 4-3.

The lead was short lived as Michel Otanez walked the first batter in the bottom of the fifth and then gave up a home run to Tampa Bay’s 2019 first round MLB Draft selection, Greg Jones.

Brooklyn had their chances after that.

In the seventh, Catcher Jake Ortega led off with a bunt single and was bunted over to second by Antoine Duplantis.  But Jake Mangum lined out and Wilmer Reyes grounded out to end the threat.

In the eighth, with two out Yoel Romero was hit by a pitch, and Rany Adon singled.  Yoel tried to take third when the ball got away from the Hudson Valley catcher and was thrown out.

In the ninth, after two fly outs, Antoine Duplantis hit what appeared to be a ball in the gap only to have Hudson Valley right fielder Hill Alexander make a diving catch and end the game. 

The best of three series now goes back to Brooklyn Thursday where Jed Lowrie is expected to play and Nathan Jones is expected to pitch for Brooklyn.