WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. - Behind a multi-hit, multi-RBI effort from SS Elian Peña, the Cyclones topped the Renegades, 5-2, on Thursday night. The win moves Brooklyn to four games over .500 at 30-26 with 10 games to go in the regular season. However, with Greensboro’s victory, Brooklyn did not gain any ground in the standings.
Peña was a force atop the Brooklyn lineup. The 18-year-old put together his first multi-hit game as a Cyclones, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Peña was sharp in the field as well, having a hand in two of three double plays turned by the ‘Clones on the night. Additionally, C Chase Meggers tied a franchise record, drawing four walks.
After a bit of a bumpy outing last week in Asheville, RHP Joel Díaz bounced back in a big way. The 22-year-old tossed 3.2 innings of one-hit, shutout ball, while striking out four and walking just one. Díaz did not allow a hit until the 4th inning, against the final batter he’d face.
LHP Pico Kohn excelled for Hudson Valley despite taking the loss, striking out nine over 4.0 innings of work. Brooklyn finally solved Kohn to some extent in the 4th. With two in scoring position and one out, DH John Spikerman skied a sac fly to left, giving Brooklyn a 1-0 lead.
One inning later, the Cyclones plated a pair against the Renegades’ bullpen. Three straight walks loaded the bases, before Peña singled on a sharp liner to right field to push the Brooklyn lead to 2-0. After a strikeout and pitching change, LF Yonatan Henríquez stayed hot at the plate, driving in yet another run on an RBI fielder’s choice. It’s his 13th RBI in the last eight games.
The ‘Clones made it a 4-0 game in the 7th. With a runner on 2nd and two away, CF Trey Snyder doubled on a liner to right field, tacking on another for the ‘Clones. Snyder finished with a fifth straight multi-hit performance, notching a pair of doubles.
Hudson Valley got a pair back off RHP Elwis Mijares to shave their deficit to 4-2. The Renegades’ runs came courtesy of an RBI double from RF Camden Troyer, followed by an RBI single from SS Jackson Lovich.
Brooklyn put a bit more distance between themselves and Hudson Valley in the 8th, thanks to a sac fly from Pena, good for his 2nd RBI of the night. The two squads would trade zeroes the rest of the way, en route to Brooklyn capturing its second straight win, 5-2. RHP Ryan Dollar picked up a 2.0 inning save, while racking out five strikeouts.
The Cyclones and Renegades return to action on Thursday night at Heritage Financial Park. RHP José Chirinos (1-6. 3.98 ERA) takes the ball for the Cyclones, against Hudson Valley’s LHP Allen Facundo (4-3, 4.79 ERA). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.