Brooklyn, NY – June 18th – The Brooklyn Cyclones defeated the rival Staten Island Yankees, 2-0 in their home opener Monday night. They are now 10-2 in their season openers.

Although having gone 0-for-3, Mets’ prospect Brandon Nimmo walked with one out in the eighth inning to begin the Cyclones rally and later score what proved to be the game-winning run.

Yankees’ reliever James Pazos got second baseman Juan Gamboa to ground out to third to begin the eighth. He then walked both Nimmo and shortstop Phillip Evans on four pitches each. DH Alex Sanchez singled to load the bases before Pazos allowed another four pitch walk – this time to left fielder Stefan Sabol – and the first run of the ballgame.

First baseman Cole Frenzel kept things going for the Cyclones hitting a sacrifice fly to centerfield, which brought home Evans. Pazos then got right fielder Eudy Pina to fly out to center to end the inning.

Both starting pitchers went six innings, neither allowing a run. Brooklyn right-hander Gabriel Ynoa surrendered three hits, walked none, and struck out four, while Taylor Morton, who started for Staten Island, allowed four hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.

Darwin Frias earned the win, pitching 2.0 innings with one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts. Pazos took the loss after throwing just one inning for Staten Island.

Tyler Vanderheiden picked up his first save of the season. He pitched a perfect ninth and struck out center fielder Ravel Santana and first baseman Matt Snyder to end the game.

Evans went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Alex Sanchez also had two hits for the Cyclones.

The Cyclones will travel to Staten Island tomorrow night at 7:00 PM to take on the Yankees. They will return home on Thursday, June 21st to take on the Yankees again at 7:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-507-TIXX, visiting the MCU box office, or CLICKING HERE.


-Courtney Nunes
BrooklynCyclones.com