Brooklyn 4, Connecticut 3
Brooklyn found themselves trailing at three different points during this game, but came back each time before taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth as they defeated the Tigers 4-3. This marked the ninth come from behind victory for the Cyclones.
Connecticut jumped on the Cyclones right away in the bottom of the first inning when leadoff man, Curt Powell singled and then stole second base. After Gsellman struck out Austin Schotts for the first out, Dominic Ficociello doubled to the left field corner giving the Tigers the 1-0 lead.
The Cyclones came right back at Connecticut by putting up a run in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 1-1. With two outs, Jonathan Clark singled to left and reached third base after Tomas Nido and Anthony Chavez drew walks to load the bases for Patrick Biondi. Connecticut starter, Chase Edwards walked Biondi, his third straight walk, moving each runner up a base scoring Clark.
The defense cost Brooklyn in the top of the fifth inning when the Tigers regained the lead. Gsellman retired the first batter he first before surrendering a single to Powell bringing up Schotts. Chavez fielded Schotts grounder and threw to second to get Powell, but L.J. Mazzilli short hopped Alex Sanchez who couldn’t keep the ball in front of him, allowing Schotts to advance to second. Ficociello then came up and doubled to right center giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
Brooklyn would answer right away as they strung together three hits in the inning to know the game up at 2-2. Chavez led things off with a single and Gavin Cecchinifollowed up with a one out single, moving Chavez to second. Mazzilli ripped what appeared to be a single to left, but third baseman Javier Azcona was able to pull down the liner for the second out bringing up Sanchez. With two outs, Sanchez laced a single to left scoring Chavez and tying the game at 2-2.
Connecticut would take their third lead of the game in the top of the seventh. Curt Powell came up with one out and singled before stealing second base with Schotts up to bat. Schotts drew a walk bringing up Ficociello who would reach on a throwing error byCecchini allowing Powell to score and give he Tigers a 3-2 lead.
Brooklyn rallied yet again in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game, but ths time they didn’t stop there as they took a 4-3 lead. After Sanchez flew out to right for the first out, Oberste singled and moved to third on a double by James Roche. Connecticut was forced to bring the infield in and Clark hit a seeing eye single through the left side to score the tying run in Oberste. With men on the corners and one out,Nido ripped a line drive single up the middle to give Brooklyn its first lead of the game, 4-3. John Mincone would come in for the ninth inning and close the door, tying him atop the league leaders with six saves.
Key Stats
Jonathan Clark: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R
Tomas Nido: 2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Alex Sanchez: 1-for-4, 1 RBI
Patrick Biondi: 1-for-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Robert Gsellman: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 K
David Wynn: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 K
John Mincone: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 1 K
(Team Report)