Spikes fall to Cyclones' surge in 9-2 loss
BROOKLYN, NY - The State College Spikes were overpowered by the Brooklyn Cyclones' offensive display on Sunday night, as 16 Brooklyn hits contributed to the Spikes' 9-2 defeat at MCU Park.
The State College (30-22) margin of defeat was the largest for any single game this season, and the 16 hits were the most by any opponent in a single game in 2013.
Despite the loss, the Spikes stayed a half-game in front of Lowell for the New York-Penn League Wild Card lead, and remained just two games back of Jamestown for the lead in the NYPL's Pinckney Division.
State College took the opening lead of the game when Steven Ramos's third-inning bunt single turned into a trip around the bases thanks to two errors. However, Brooklyn (26-26) scored four runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead, and added runs in the fifth and sixth before putting the game away with a three-run eighth.
Alex De Leon drove in the other Spikes run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Luis Perez and Mason Katz each contributed doubles to the State College offensive cause.
Ronald Castillo made his first appearance for the Spikes since July 21 when he was activated from the Disabled List earlier in the day. Castillo started in left field and batted ninth, going 0-for-1 with a strikeout before being replaced in the fourth inning.
L.J. Mazzilli led the Cyclones offense with a 4-for-5 game in which he knocked in two runs and scored three. Matt Oberste also added three hits for Brooklyn, while Alex Sanchez delivered a two-run homer to left field in the eighth to complete the scoring.
State College starter Jimmy Reed (2-2) took the loss after being bumped up in the rotation. Reed yielded five runs, four of them earned, over four innings of work. The southpaw gave up seven hits and a walk while striking out two on the game.
Right-hander Kevin Herget, who was limited to a single inning in his start against Brooklyn on Friday, went three innings in relief and allowed an unearned run on six hits while notching one strikeout.
Cyclones starter Carlos Valdez (2-2) earned the run after giving up one unearned run on five hits and a walk over six innings of work. Valdez also racked up eight strikeouts.
Five Spikes will now make their way to Connecticut for Tuesday's New York-Penn League All-Star Game at Dodd Stadium in Norwich. Ramos and Castillo are slated to start the game in the outfield for the National League squad, while David Washington will start at first base. Shortstop Cesar Valera and outfielder Jimmy Bosco will also appear in the game in a reserve role. First pitch for the NYPL Midsummer Classic is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. on Tuesday.
Following the All-Star break, the Spikes will return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Wednesday, August 14 for their first home action in ten days as they 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 Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:35 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.