Spikes' bats held in check in loss to Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY - The State College Spikes' prolific offense was limited to just two hits by Brooklyn Cyclones pitching on Saturday night, leading to the Cyclones taking a 2-1 decision at MCU Park.
Brooklyn (25-26) starter John Gant took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, and gave up both State College (30-21) hits. Cesar Valera's infield single with one out in the sixth started the brief Spikes rally, and Carson Kelly knocked him in with another single to draw State College within a run.
However, Cyclones reliever John Mincone and Johnny Magliozzi (4) retired nine straight Spikes batters over the last three innings to preserve the final score.
State College was also forced to used Sunday's intended starting pitcher, Nick Petree, to finish out the game after Willy Paulino (2-2) was forced out of the box in the fourth. Paulino was tagged with both runs on three hits, three walks and three hit batsmen while also throwing a wild pitch over 3 1/3 innings.
Petree allowed an inherited runner to score in the fourth, but tossed 4 2/3 strong innings. The right-hander out of Missouri State gave up three hits and two walks while striking out three, and set down ten batters in a row from the fifth through ninth innings.
Gant, who is headed to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game to pitch for the National League squad, went a total of six innings and walked three batters while striking out seven. Mincone, named the closer for the NL side in the All-Star Game, struck out one batter in two perfect innings.
Gavin Cecchini went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Brooklyn, while L.J. Mazzilli added a first-inning sacrifice fly for the other run batted in.
Sunday, the Spikes complete their six-game road trip to New York City with the finale of a three-game set against the Cyclones at MCU Park. The 5 p.m. matchup will feature left-hander Jimmy Reed (2-1) making his second start of the road trip for State College after the shuffle to the rotation. Right-hander Kevin Herget (5-0), who was limited to one inning on Friday due to rain delays, is also slated to see action on the mound.
Brooklyn will go with left-hander Carlos Valdez (1-2) on the hill.
Following the road trip to New York City, the Spikes will go through the New York-Penn League All-Star break before returning home on Wednesday, August 14 to face the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) in a two-game series, with both games starting at 7:05 p.m. The 14th will be Ladies Night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, presented by Confer's Jewelers, The Women's Journal and MAJIC 99, with a post-game $1,000 Diamond Dash in which one lucky lady will find a $1,000 diamond from Confer's Jewelers.
Fans can then bring their favorite four-legged friends to the park on Thursday, August 15 as the Spikes face the Scrappers during Bark in the Park II, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, NEWSRADIO 103 and the Centre Daily Times. Fans will be able to watch the game with their canine pal in the Outfield Bleachers as well as on the concourse. Fans are asked to bring one dog per person, and all dogs must be leashed or crated. Owners will also be asked to provide their dog's vaccination records and sign a liability waiver.
Tickets for the Spikes' home games from August 14-15, as well as every Spikes home game on the 2013 slate, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 4:45 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from MCU Park. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.