BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Behind 6.2 innings of shutout ball from RHP José Chirinos, the Cyclones topped the BlueClaws, 1-0, on Saturday night. The 21-year-old gave up just two hits, while walking none and striking out five. The 6.2 frames tie the deepest a Brooklyn starter has worked into a game this season.
Brooklyn’s pitching continues to mow down BlueClaw hitters, notching their second shutout through the first five games. In total, Cyclones’ arms have allowed six runs in the series thus far. On Saturday, after Chirinos departed, the bullpen kept things moving in the right direction. The trio of RHPs Josh Blum, Calvin Ziegler and Juan Arnaud spun 2.1 scoreless frames of one-hit ball.
Offensively, CF Aidan Smith returned to the Brooklyn lineup with a 2-for-3 performance, including his 9th double of the year.
The two teams traded zeroes all the way until the bottom of the 8th. 1B Jamari Baylor got things started with an infield single. Then, 3B Antonio Jimenez smacked a grounder that could have been a double play, but a throwing error against the BlueClaw shortstop allowed Jimenez to reach safely, as Baylor went 1st to 3rd.
With men on the corners and nobody out, C Chase Meggers put Brooklyn in front with an RBI fielder’s choice. Meggers laced a grounder to second as Baylor broke for the plate. 2B Daunte Stuart fired home, but the low throw could not be scooped up by Jersey Shore’s catcher as Brooklyn took the lead.
Still, Jersey Shore retired the next three batters to keep the Brooklyn lead at 1-0.
In the 9th, Arnaud came back out - now in line for a potential victory - and doctored up a flyout to start the frame. DH TJayy Walton singled on a grounder to 3rd, putting the tying run on base. From there, C Kodey Shojinaga hit into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play to secure the 1-0 win.
The Cyclones will go for the series victory in Sunday’s finale at 2:00. LHP Daviel Hurtado (4-2, 2.63 ERA) takes the ball for Brooklyn, against Jersey Shore’s LHP Cade Obermueller (0-1, 10.97 ERA).