Bullpen, Blaser lead Yanks to marathon Opening Day victory at Brooklyn, 3-2
If you missed baseball, Friday night gave you what you've been waiting for, and then some. On an unseasonably chilly summer night on Coney Island, the Staten Island Yankees (1-0) and Brooklyn Cyclones (0-1) logged another memorable contest in the rivalry's storied history, playing 20 innings before the Yanks took the final lead of 3-2.
Things looked worrisome in the first inning for Staten Island starting pitcher Adonis Rosa as he gave up a lead-off home run to Brooklyn's Enmanuel Zabala. However, Rosa would settle in to go six innings, allowing two runs on only three hits, and six strikeouts.
The Baby Bombers were able to put together some timely hits in the fourth inning to take their first lead of the game. Designated hitter Kane Sweeney led off the inning with a single then scored on a Mandy Alvarez (3-for-8, 2B, RBI) double to left field off Cyclones starter Gabriel Llanes. Dalton Blaser followed with a single, one of his four hits, moving Alvarez to third. The Baby Bombers then took the lead on a Kendall Coleman sacrifice fly, making the score 2-1.
Staten Island's lead didn't last long as the Cyclones answered right back in the bottom half of the inning. After retiring 11 batters in a row, Rosa allowed a double to Brooklyn's Brandon Brosher followed by run-scoring triple from Darryl Knight, tying the ball game at 2-2.
Once the game reached the fifth inning, bats in both lineups went silent. The Staten Island Yankees bullpen followed Rosa's quality outing with 14 shutout innings. Including Rosa's six strikeouts, the pitching staff combined for 19 strikeouts, the most in a single game in team history. The platoon of David Sosebee, Justin Kamplain, Michael Schaub, Eduardo Rivera and Claudio Custodio (W, 1-0) allowed only four hits after taking over for Rosa in the seventh inning.
After squandering a bases loaded opportunity in the 15th inning, Staten Island was finally able to scratch a run across in the 20th. With the game already spilling into Saturday morning, the Cyclones went to the bench for infielder Dionis Paulino (L, 0-1) for relief. Paulino led the inning off with three consecutive walks, leading to a Ricardo Ferreira sacrifice fly that plated Blaser for the go-ahead run.
Infielder-turned-reliever and 2012 Staten Island Yankee Claudio Custodio earned the Opening Day win in his first game back with the Baby Bombers. In three innings of work, Custodio struck out three batters while only allowing one hit, giving the Yanks their seventh consecutive win at MCU Park, 3-2.
As with each season, Opening Day provides a look at many players' professional debuts. Dalton Blaser, 2016 8th round pick from Cal State-Fullerton, came out strong in his first career game, reaching base seven times, including four hits, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch, as well as the eventual game-winning run. Third baseman Mandy Alvarez, 2016 17th round pick from Eastern Kentucky, collected three hits, including a double and an RBI, while also playing solid defense at the hot corner.
In his first action back from torn labrum surgery in 2015, former New York-Penn League all-star catcher Luis Torrens (Yankees No. 12 prospect, according to MLB.com) went 2-for-5 with a walk before being relieved behind the plate by 2016 7th round pick from North Florida Keith Skinner.
The two teams return to action Saturday at 7 p.m. for the home opener at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George as 2015 3rd round pick Drew Finley (Yankees No. 16 prospect, according to MLB.com) makes his Staten Island debut. The first 2,500 fans get a 2016 magnetic schedule and foam finger, courtesy of Richmond County Savings Bank. Plus, post-game fireworks against the Manhattan skyline. Gates open at 6 p.m.