Cyclones Win Back-and-forth Tilt, 3-2, Over Greenville

Greenville, SC – Brooklyn scored three runs between the fifth and sixth innings while holding Greenville to just two hits over the final five innings to propel the Cyclones to a 3-2 victory in game two against the Drive at Fluor Field Wednesday night.

Brian Van Belle started for Greenville and hurled 4.1 innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Yusniel Padron-Artilles took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth inning.

The Cyclones starter, Jose Butto, pitched 4.0 innings and allowed one run on two hits and three walks while fanning six. Brian Metoyer earned the win after pitching 2.0 innings in relief. He allowed one run. Mitch Ragan tallied the save for Brooklyn.

Greenville quickly took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Cam Cannon drew a leadoff walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. A few pitches later, he stole third base—the first stolen base for a Drive player this season. With two outs, Brandon Howlett lined a double to left to plate Cannon and pick up the RBI.

In the top of the fourth, the Cyclones threatened. With a runner on second and one out, Hayden Senger lined a single to right field. Right fielder Tyler Esplin fielded the ball and gunned down the runner attempting to score at the plate to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the home team.

However, Brooklyn scored two runs the following inning. Juan Uriarte led off the fifth with a triple down the right field line. A batter later, Antoine Duplantis blooped an RBI single to left to tie the game at 1-1. Duplantis then stole second and advanced to third on an error. After a strikeout, Ronny Mauricio grounded a ball through the ride side for an RBI single to give Brooklyn a 2-1 advantage.

Their lead did not last long. Alan Marrero singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. A batter later, Cole Brannen hit a soft grounder to the mound. The pitcher threw wild to second, allowing Marrero to get to third on an error. And with Cannon up, Marrero came around to score on a wild pitch, evening the score at 2-2.

The rollercoaster ride continued in the next frame. Blake Tiberi ledoff the sixth inning with a double down the right field line. After two outs, Duplantis lined an RBI double to right to give the Cyclones a 3-2 lead.

Howlett registered the only two-hit performance for the Drive. He also drove in the lone Drive run.