BROOKLYN, NY- Outscoring their cross-bridge rivals, the Staten Island Yankees 12-5 through the first two games of their season-opening, three-game series, the Brooklyn Cyclones were looking to steal a victory and stay undefeated in 08 for at least one more night. However, the Mets Single-A Affiliate lacked the same precision on the mound and the basepaths that nabbed them two consecutive victories to start their season, amassing only five hits in an ugly 7-2 loss.

Taking the hill for the Cyclones was Manny Olivares, who went 3-3 with a 4.56 ERA in 13 games [six starts] with the Mets rookie league affiliate in Kingsport in 07. Giving up four hits through the first three innings, Olivares kept the Baby Bombers scoreless through his first four innings pitched, but was heavily supported by sound defense and a pair of timely double plays.

Nevertheless, Cyclones skipper Edgar Alfonzo liked what he saw from the 22-year old.

“He had a good sinker and fastball today,” said Alfonzo. “I think he was good out there.”

With Olivares and Yankees starter Brandon Braboy stifling hitters early on and both team’s playing solid defense, it wasn’t until the fourth inning that the first run of the game crossed the plate. Kirk Nieuwenhuis gave the ‘Clones a 1-0 lead after scoring from third on a wild throw after he led off the inning with a walk and a single from Zach Lutz moved him into scoring position.

“It was a fastball over the plate and I just put my head down,” said Lutz, on the hit that put his team in position to take an early lead. “I just took it to right field.”

The Baby Bums couldn’t hold the lead for long though, as Yankee third baseman Michael Lyon doubled home two runs in the top of the fifth, giving Staten Island a 2-1 lead.

Mets ninth round pick Eric Beaulac replaced Olivares in the sixth and kept the score at 2-1 through his first inning of work, but gave up a run on an Addison Maruszak double in the seventh that stretched the Baby Bombers lead to 3-1. Things got worse for Beaulac in the inning however, as a Ryan Wilkes sacrifice fly scored Maruszak and gave the Yankees Single-A Affiliate a 4-1 lead.

With two outs in the seventh, Matias Carrillo replaced Beaulac, but ran into problems of his own, giving up a two-run single off the bat of Taylor Grote that gave Staten Island a five-run cushion. The Yankees couldn’t capitalize further though, as Grote got caught in a rundown after the runs crossed the plate, ending the inning. Carrillo was far from perfect in the eighth as well, giving up another run on a RBI single by Maruszak that stretched the lead to 7-1.

The Clones did attempt to mount a comeback in the eighth, as Brooklyn shortstop Matt Bouchard hit an RBI single off Staten Island reliever Jason Kiley, cutting the Yankees lead to 7-2. However, that would be the only offense the team could muster the rest of the way.

“Too bad it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Bouchard, who rejoined the team yesterday after starting the season with Savannah in April, said about his RBI single. “They pitched really well tonight.”

Losing their first game on the season, the Cyclones will head to Aberdeen for a three-game series before heading back to Brooklyn for a home game with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Monday. Taking two of three games from the Yankees, Alfonzo is pleased with the way his team has started the season.

“If we do that all season, (win two out of three) we’ll be in great shape and make the playoffs,” said Alfonzo. “That’s definitely our goal. I’m very excited about this team right now.”

Notes- According to Alfonzo, Mets first round pick Reese Havens is expected to miss up to three weeks with inflammation in his right elbow, which is what necessitated Bouchard’s return to Brooklyn. However, Alfonzo remains unsure of when the prospect will play shortstop, saying he sees him first occupying the designated hitter’s spot until his elbow is 100 percent.

During the post game interview, Alfonzo also hinted at the appearance of the Mets other first round pick, Ike Davis, in Brooklyn in the future.

“Not soon,” Alfonzo said. “But he’ll be here at some time.”

Alfonzo also announced that Chris Schwinden, Brad Holt and Pedro P. Martinez will start the next three games in Aberdeen, while Tim Stronach will start the team’s next home game on Monday against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

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