BROOKLYN, NY- Looking to avenge a loss
to the Oneonta Tigers last night where everything, including the weather seemed to go wrong, the Brooklyn Cyclones offense
continued to border on the mediocre, failing to capitalize on another solid pitching performance, en route to a disappointing
three-hit loss to the Tigers 6-0.
Having yet to start a game at Keyspan this
year, Nelson Portillo would get his first opportunity to impress the Coney Island faithful tonight. Having a 1-1 record with a 2.88 ERA through five starts so far this
season, Portillo, aside from Jacob Ruckle, has been Brooklyn's most consistent starter and has given the team a chance
to win every time he’s pitched this season.
Portillo continued to prove his immense
value to the team until the fourth inning tonight, when he was touched up for two runs, courtesy of hits by Scott Sizemore
and Santo Deleon, giving the Tigers an early 2-0 lead. Portillo continued to get in trouble in the fifth; giving up a solo-home
run to Ryan Strieby and all of a sudden the Cyclones were down 3-0.
After the game, Cyclones manager George
Greer thought that Portillo pitched well, but acknowledged that he made mistakes that cost him the chance to dominate the
Tigers.
“I think he’s very good when
he keeps the ball down,” said Greer. “When he doesn’t keep the ball down, like any pitcher, he’s going
to get hit.”
The Cyclones looked to get off to an early
start against Tigers starter Matthew O’Brien, but managed only two hits in the seven innings he pitched.
They did have an opportunity to score in
the bottom of the fifth however, as Jon Malo would reach base on a throwing error by Deleon and O’Brien would walk Tim
Grogan with no outs. A sacrifice bunt by Jake Eigsti would move the runners into scoring position, but a Luis Rivera strikeout
and Joe Holden groundout would keep Brooklyn scoreless.
“It’s obviously frustrating,”
said Cyclones second baseman Jon Schemmel, regarding the team’s lack of offensive production this season “Especially
with the way our pitchers have been throwing lately. We’re trying to figure things out. It’s not due to a lack
of effort. Everyday we’re working hard to try and get out of it and I’m confident in time we will.”
