BROOKLYN, NY - Having lost four in a row, including the last three on the road, and five of their last six, the Brooklyn Cyclones hoped a return to the familiar setting of Keyspan Park would awaken their slumbering bats. Even with rehabbing Met Angel Pagan in the lineup, however, the 'Clones were unable to reclaim their offensive spark as they dropped their fifth straight game last night in a 1-0 loss to the State College Spikes.

“Offensively, we're struggling right now,” said Edgar Alfonzo, the team's manager. “Pitching, we've been doing a great job all year. When the starting pitcher and the relievers give you a chance to win the game like that, you should win it. Offensively, though, we're only getting two or three hits a game right now.”

The Cyclones' offense managed just three hits as the team was shutout for the second time in three games. Third baseman Zach Lutz's ground-rule double in the bottom of the first was Brooklyn's only extra-base hit of the night, but the Cyclones never came as close to scoring as they did the following inning.

With one out and centerfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis on first, State College second baseman Chad Rice botched what should have been an inning-ending double play when he missed Brooklyn shortstop Jake Eigsti's grounder, putting the tying run on second. A wild pitch by Spikes' starter William Kelly during the next at-bat advanced both Cyclone runners into scoring position, which forced Kelly to walk the batter, second baseman Ignacio Medrano, and load the bases.

Kelly, who struck out two, gave up two hits and walked a couple in two innings, was able to work his way out of the jam, though, as he struck out designated hitter Reese Havens and got Pagan to fly out to right.

“Sometimes, with offense, it's like a contagious thing and everyone has the sickness right now,” Alfonzo said. “It's not too late, though. Everybody here is frustrated right now, but I still have faith in this team.”

The loss was all the more difficult to swallow as Brooklyn starter Scott Shaw allowed just one run in six innings while fanning six Spikes, despite giving up eight hits and pitching to a catcher, Jordan Abruzzo, that he'd met just hours prior to gametime.

“I don't know man,” said Shaw, who was sacked with the loss and is now 1-1 with a 1.42 ERA in four starts and five total appearances. “This is a tough run. We haven't really done any damage offensively since last Friday. It's baseball and I guess everybody runs into stretches like this. We're certainly a talented team that can hit, but I don't know why we aren't.”

Shaw was relieved by Christopher Schwinden, who gave up one hit and struck out a pair in three innings of work. Reliever Yoffri Martinez was credited with the win for State College after pitching three innings in relief of Kelly.

The hope of a losing streak-breaking victory wasn't the only casualty of the Cyclones' offensive woes, though. First baseman Ike Davis' 15-game hitting streak also came to an end, as the Mets' first-round pick was hitless in four tries. Previously, he'd hit at least once in every game he'd played with the team, resulting in the second-longest hitting streak in Cyclones history.

“Everything comes to an end,” Davis said. “I hit the ball hard today, but what can I do? They caught them. I wasn't really thinking about it. It's more disappointing that we lost.”

Lucas Duda holds the record with a 17-game hitting streak that he established a season ago.

As for Pagan, who has been out of action since being injured in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 7, he seemed to relish the opportunity to return to his roots. An All-Star with Brooklyn in 2001 during the Cyclones' inaugural season, Pagan was hitting .275 in 31 games with 13 RBI this season and was an important contributor for the big club from Shea prior to his injury.

“The atmosphere feels the same,” said Pagan of his return to Coney Island. “The fans always support you. I had it scheduled to come back here as a fan. Unfortunately, I got hurt, but I got to come here and play again so it all worked out.”

Though he was hitless, going 0-3 with a walk and a stolen base while playing all nine innings, Pagan showed no hesitation in his play. He even slid into first late in the game in a failed attempt to beat out a throw.

“I feel good,” said Pagan, who is scheduled to suit up for the Cyclones again on Sunday. “I'm getting there with my arm. I would love to face more lefties, though. I've been out for two months and that's the part of my game I need to check out.

“Only time will tell, but hopefully I'll be back at Shea soon and playing for the New York Mets.”

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