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Reyes Takes First Step Toward Return in Brooklyn

By Jacob Resnick

June 27, 2016 No comments

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“Jose, Jose Jose Jose, Jose, Jose.”

If there were fans in attendance at Sunday’s Brooklyn Cyclones match-up with the Hudson Valley Renegades that frowned upon the return of Jose Reyes to the Mets organization, they certainly weren’t making their voices heard.

The 33-year-old Reyes went 0-3 with a strikeout and played six innings at third base in the Cyclones’ 1-0 victory over the Renegades. 7,581 fans (581 over capacity) packed MCU Park to watch the four-time All Star.

“I was a little bit emotional. I didn’t know what to expect,” Reyes said after his first action with the organization since 2011.

After the domestic violence incident last year, it was unclear precisely what the reception would be like. It was clear, however, that in the days leading up to the signing on Saturday afternoon, there were two distinct factions of Mets fans: those who were against rewarding those that have committed such acts, and those who believe in second chances.

“I know some people out there are going to be hard on me, and I respect that,” Reyes said in response to the first faction. “I put myself in that situation. But like I said, I’ll stand up here like a man and admit that I made a bad mistake.”Reyes Brooklyn 3

Although the organization has made it clear that Reyes will not be the team’s starting shortstop once he returns to the major league level, he doesn’t believe learning a new position (or two) will take away from the fact that he is returning to play baseball in the city where he spent nine years of his life.

“When you’re coming home, it doesn’t matter what room you sleep in. You’re going to feel comfortable because you’re home.”

Erik Manoah picked up his first win of the season by tossing six shutout innings, allowing two baserunners on a hit and a walk. Manoah had served up two home runs over five innings in his previous start.

(Jacob Resnick/MetsMinors.Net)

(Jacob Resnick/MetsMinors.Net)

“For the first time this year, he’s showing maturity and being a guy that players want to play behind. He’s worked real hard at turning that around,” Tom Gamboa said on what changed in between starts for Manoah. “Composure was great, mound presence was great. He looked like a pro.”

Raul Jacobson struck out three batters in three scoreless innings to pick up the save.

Colby Woodmansee went 4-4 with a double and a run scored to continue the hot start to his professional career. It was his fourth multi-hit game in six total appearances, and his average jumped to .478.

“He’s a hitting machine,” Gamboa said.

The Cyclones wrap up their series with Hudson Valley on Monday at 7:00, before traveling to State College to face the first place Spikes.

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