Brooklyn Blasts: Cowles, Rodriguez go deep in 4-2 victory
Brooklyn, N.Y. (Aug. 15, 2023) — The Hudson Valley Renegades took the series opener against the Brooklyn Cyclones 4-2 on Tuesday night at Maimonides Park. The Renegades took an early lead in the top of the second when Ben Cowles laced an opposite field home run off Robert Colina to
Brooklyn, N.Y. (Aug. 15, 2023) — The Hudson Valley Renegades took the series opener against the Brooklyn Cyclones 4-2 on Tuesday night at Maimonides Park.
The Renegades took an early lead in the top of the second when Ben Cowles laced an opposite field home run off Robert Colina to put Hudson Valley in front 1-0. It was Cowles’ 10thhome run of the season, the first time in his career that he reached double digits in home runs in a season.
OPPO TACO TUESDAY!!! 🌮 pic.twitter.com/D2QYqAuuhG
— Hudson Valley Renegades (@HVRenegades) August 15, 2023
Baron Stuart worked around traffic on the bases and did not allow a run throughout the first five innings thanks to his defense turning two double plays behind him. Stuart (2-1) allowed no runs on six hits while walking four and striking out one across 5.0-plus innings of work.
Hudson Valley added some insurance in the top of the sixth, when Anthony Hall led off with a double and scored on a two-run home run by Jesus Rodriguez. It was his first round-tripper with the Renegades and his seventh overall on the season. After Alexander Vargas and Antonio Gomez laced back-to-back singles to chase Colina (3-3) from the game, Joshua Cornielly allowed an RBI single to Ben Cowles to grow the lead to 4-0.
404 FEET!!!! 💣
— Hudson Valley Renegades (@HVRenegades) August 16, 2023
Jesus Rodriguez! 💪 pic.twitter.com/Fj1KvEwoVS
After Stuart walked the first two batters of the bottom of the sixth, Mason Vinyard entered to retire the side and stranded both runners on base. Stuart ended his night having thrown 100 pitches, becoming the second Hudson Valley pitcher to reach that mark this season, joining Juan Carela’s 102-pitch performance on July 2 vs Wilmington.
After Vinyard retired all seven batters in his outing, Carlos Gómez followed to combine for a scoreless eighth. After Gómez struck out D’Andre Smith in the ninth, Drake Osborn walked and Rhylan Thomas then hit a two-run home run to right field to cut the ‘Gades lead to 4-2. The right-hander struck out Jett Williams before walking Alex Ramirez to bring up the tying run to the plate.
Joel Valdez entered out of the bullpen and struck out Ryan Clifford to end the contest and earn his first save of the season. Hudson Valley pitching stranded 10 runners on the bases and held the Cyclones to hit 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position on Tuesday night.
The Renegades and Cyclones continue their six-game series on Wednesday night at Maimonides Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m., with coverage on the Renegades Baseball Network beginning at 6:45. RHP Justin Lange makes his High-A debut for Hudson Valley, while RHP Jordany Ventura (3-0, 2.73) gets the call for Brooklyn.