Brooklyn 2, Staten Island 1

The Cyclones got a much needed win in extras on Wednesday against the Staten Island Yankees to break their four game losing streak, 2-1. Matt Oberste sent everyone home happy with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Patrick Biondi from third.BIondi just got around the tag to give the Cyclones their second walkoff win of the season.

The Cyclones could not have asked for a better pitching performance from starterCarlos Valdez. Valdez went six strong innings only allowing three hits and striking out five. He retired the first 12 out of 14 batters he faced. Akeel Morris also pitched great coming in relief, going four innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five, and receiving the win.

The Cyclones did not get a runner into scoring position until the sixth inning, but made the most of it getting their first run in. Juam Gamboa beat out an infield single to start the inning on a close play at first. Gamboa entered the game at shortstop in the top of the second inning after Gavin Cecchini awkwardly slid into third on an attempted steal.L.J. Mazzilli followed with a walk moving Gamboa over to second. Before Yankees pitcher Caleb Smith threw a pitch to the next batter Oberste, he balked, advancingGamboa and Mazzilli to second and third. Oberste grounded out to third, but Jared King was able to hit it deep enough to tag Gamboa from third, giving the Cyclones a 1-0 lead.

The Baby Bombers evened things up in the top of the seventh on an unearned run that looked to be a routine double play. Yankees OF Mike O’Neill grounded to Oberste at first who got the out at second, but on the throw back to first by Gamboa the ball went low and through the legs of Oberste, allowing Derek Toadvine to score. Toadvine led the inning off with a double to left field.

The Cyclones big inning came in the bottom of the tenth. Patrick Biondi started it with a walk, representing the winning run at first. Gamboa followed with a double down the third base line, which prompted the Yankees to walk Mazzilli to load the bases for a possible double play. But Oberste did just the opposite, hitting a fly ball to left field to win the game.

Key Stats

Patrick Biondi: 1-for-3, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 SB

Juan Carlos Gamboa: 2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 R

Matthew Oberste: 0-for-4, 1 RBI

Carlos Valdez: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 5 K

Akeel Morris: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K

(Team Report)