Nathan Jones (Jacob Resnick/Mets Minors)
The Cyclones pitching staff was on top of it’s game Thursday night when they blanked the Hudson Valley Renegades 1-0 in Brooklyn to force a winner-take-all game three.
Mets 2019 fifth rounder Nathan Jones started the game by tossing three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. He didn’t allow a hit and walked only one. Jones was followed by two hitless and scoreless innings by 2019 third rounder Matthew Allan. The right-hander was up to 95-96 mph with his fastball while flashing a plus curveball.
Next up on the mound was right-hander Corey Gaconi. He allowed the first (and only) hit with one out in the top of the seventh, a single to right field. Gaconi tossed three scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Right-hander Nelson Leon induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the game and pick up the save.
Outside of a solo homer from the rehabbing Jed Lowrie the Cyclones offense was quiet. Lowrie finished 1-for-3 at the plate and played the entire game at second base. It was his first time playing a full game during his current rehab assignment. Lowrie is 8-for-23 with two homers and two walks over his last seven games.
Jed Lowrie homers on the first pitch in his second at-bat to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead #Mets @MetsMerized pic.twitter.com/4h2vNhgx3v
— Josh Finkelstein (@JoshFink313) September 5, 2019
The Cyclones only had three hits and one walk in the game. Designated hitter Luke Ritter went 1-for-2 with a double and right fielder Ranfy Adon was 1-for-2 with a walk.
Mets 2019 first round pick Brett Baty was a late scratch from the Cyclones lineup on Wednesday and did not play on Thursday. No word on an injury yet though he did leave the regular season finale after getting hit by a pitch.
Game three of the best-of-three series is at MCU Park on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET. Right-hander Matt Cleveland (3-3, 3.78 ERA) is expected to start for Brooklyn.
