The Cyclones took two of three from the visiting Oneonta Tigers — and, in doing so, kept their lead over the hated Staten Island Yankees at a solid two-and-a half games. But that doesn’t mean the weekend triumphs came easy — all three games were of the one-run variety.
Here’s a round up:
Tigers 5
Cyclones 6
Friday, Aug. 14, at Keyspan Park
The Cyclones got on the board first, thanks to a run in the second on a Juan Centeno RBI double, and a run in the third on a groundout.
After starter Collin McHugh gave back the lead in the fourth, the Cyclones took back the lead with two in an amazing sixth. After Nick Giarraputo walked, Matt Gaski did what you don’t do — bunted with two strikes. Giarraputo later scored on Justin Garber’s single. And Garber scored on Jake Eigsti’s double.
Two more runs scored in the seventh, thanks to a bases-loaded groundout and a wild pitch.
McHugh (6-2, 3.30 ERA) left on the winning side, but the bullpen coughed up two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to keep it interesting.
Tigers 2
Cyclones 1 (10 inns.)
Saturday, Aug. 15, at Keyspan Park
It looked as though there would be true heroism at Keyspan, with the Cyclones scoring a game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth, but reliever Matias Carrillo gave up a game-winning solo shot in the 10th.
Starter Mark Cohoon was fantastic, limiting Oneonta to just four hits, while striking out nine in his eight innings — the lone blot, a wild pitch that led to the Tigers’ first run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Scott Grimes hit his first homer — and then Alex Gregory’s walk was followed by a Dock Doyle double. After an intentional walk, the Cyclones had the bases loaded with one out, but Justin Garber struck out and Jake Eigsti grounded out, killing the Cyclones’ chance for a victory.
Tigers 1
Cyclones 2
Sunday, Aug. 16, at Keyspan Park
Starter Wes Wrenn went seven strong innings to earn his second win against no losses this season, striking out six Tigers and giving up just four hits.
But he left on the winning side, thanks to Cyclone runs in the first and the third innings.
Nicholas Santomauro’s two-out double in the first scored Jake Eigsti, while Sam Honeck did the same thing in the third.
Matias Carrillo (avenging the previous night’s debacle) and Mike Powers closed it out.
The win kept the Cyclones atop the McNamara Division by two and a half games with just 19 to play.