Connecticut 9, Brooklyn 6

The Brooklyn Cyclones (21-17) welcomed their 3,000,000th fan to MCU Park on Wednesday night, but they were topped by the Connecticut Tigers (17-20) by a score of 9-6. Brooklyn trailed from the third inning on, but they rallied for four runs in the seventh inning and brought the tying-run to the plate in the ninth. However, they fell just short of sending the game into extra innings. Jeff Walters (2-3), entered the game with a 3.45 ERA, but was tagged for four earned runs in 4.0 innings en route to picking up the loss. Luis Angel Sanz (4-2) picked up the win for the Tigers after striking out six over 5.0 innings of two-run ball in front of 7,026 fans in attendance.



A lead-off triple and an ensuing single allowed the Tigers draw first blood in top of the second, but the Cyclones answered back with a two-run home run by Xorge Carrillo to left in the bottom of the frame. The round-tripper, which was the first of Carrillo’s professional career, put the Cyclones ahead 2-1.



The Tigers, however, tied the game at 2-2 in the following inning on a home run of their own – a solo shot.



Connecticut managed a second solo home run in the top of the fourth to re-take the lead. Prior to this game, Walters had allowed only one home run on the season, which also came against the Tigers on July 10th. Connecticut added two more runs on a bases-clearing double.



Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Brooklyn put two runners in scoring position, but an inning-ending strikeout stranded the both of them.



Connecticut’s lead was extended to four runs in the fifth inning. The run was unearned, however, as it was scored by the lead-off batter, who reached on an error.



With a 6-2 lead in the top of the seventh, the Tigers used back-to-back singles and a double steal to put runners on second and third base with no outs. An ensuing RBI-single and sac fly gave Connecticut an 8-2 lead.



A four-run rally, ignited by Danny Muno’s one-out solo home run, forced two pitching changes and brought Brooklyn to within two runs. After Muno launched his second professional home run, the Cyclones put runners on first and second on Cole Frenzel’s single and Javier Rodriguez’s walk. Richard Lucas then chased the Tigers pitcher by doubling to drive in Frenzel and advanced J-Rod to third. Charley Thurber then followed suit with a double of his own to drive in two runs, bringing the score to 8-6. Brooklyn threatened for more by loading the bases, but stranded all three runners.

The Tigers, however, tacked on another run in the top of the eighth.



Brooklyn brought the tying-run to the plate with no outs in ninth inning, but the Tigers closer induced two strikeouts and a fly out to end the game.



The Cyclones return to action at MCU Park tomorrow, Thursday, July 28, at 7 p.m. RHP Randy Fontanez (0-0, 2.84) will take the hill for Brooklyn and will oppose RHP Wilson Palacios (2-2, 4.36). Since it will be Jersday Thursday, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a Black & Teal jersey presented by Nutrament! All fans will also be invited to run the bases postgame. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 718-507-TIXX, visiting the MCU Park box office, or logging on to BrooklynCyclones.com.


From team press release.