The Brooklyn Cyclones attempted to sweep their first series of the year Monday evening, but after a one-hour and 20-minute rain delay, the Cyclones dropped a 2-0 contest to the Batavia Muckdogs – the Single-A short season affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
For the game, the Cyclones (15-19) only managed two hits – both by left fielder Jared King. King extended his hitting streak to seven games and is 12-for-24 during that stretch. He’s 22-for-66 (.333) in the month of July.
Cyclones’ manager Rich Donnelly called his offense “dead,” plain and simple.
The Muckdogs opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. Cyclones’ starting pitcher Carlos Valdez surrendered a leadoff walk to Batavia first baseman Scott Carcaise followed by a double down the right field line by second baseman Avery Romero.
With the infield back, catcher Chad Wallach grounded out to L.J. Mazzilli to plate a run. Valdez was able to retire the next two hitters to escape the jam allowing just one run.
After retiring the first two batters in the top of the fifth, Valdez ran into trouble. He gave up a double to right field to Muckdogs’ right fielder Carlos Lopez and then a run-scoring bloop single to center by left fielder Austin Dean.
On the night, Valdez threw 4.2 innings of five-hit ball while giving up two runs, walking two and striking out four while picking up his second loss of the season. Akeel Morris followed with 4.1 innings of scoreless relief and struck out six.
Justin Jackson picked up the win for the Muckdogs after throwing five scoreless frames, including a stretch of retiring 11 straight Cyclones to close out his night. Casey McCarthy retired the Cyclones in order in the ninth to pick up the save.
“Overall, if you hold them to two runs, you should win,” Donnelly said. “Every night you just move on. You don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself. You have to have instant amnesia.”
Brooklyn hits the road for the next five games, starting with a three-game set against the Lowell Spinners Tuesday night. Righty Seth Lugo takes the ball for the Cyclones.
Click here to view the complete box score from this game.
