Failure to launch: Cyclones drop two in Rahway

The New Jersey Cyclones struggled in the second series of the season, dropping both games of the double header in Rahway, New Jersey. The team jumped out to a 4-0 lead early on the heels of two home runs by Albert Cortes and Jim Dilone in the first inning, following a leadoff single by Center Fielder John Homenuk. However, Albert Cortes struggled with location and pitch count and shaky defense let the game slip away late as the Cyclones dropped the opener 13-5. John Homenuk was called on to relieve Cortes who left with a bases loaded jam, but was unable to quell the rally as all three runners scored before the inning was over. The Cyclones offense seemingly shut down after the four run first.

The Cyclones dug themselves an immediate hole in Game 2 thanks to poor defense which reared it's head again, this time early in the game. Costly errors on the infield and misplayed balls in the outfield allowed the Crab House Yankees to score 4 un earned runs by the 3rd inning. Despite John Homenuk's RBI single in the third, which gave the Cyclones an early 1-0 lead, the aforementioned un earned runs gave Jim Dilone (starter, who received the loss) trouble. Manager Mike Ruzek called upon John Homenuk, again, to pitch the final three innings of the game. He hurled shutout ball over those three innings, despite giving up six hits and walking three men while striking out six. The Cylones offense seemingly shut down again during the middle of the game with key strikeouts of Mike Rusek and Albert Cortes with runners stranded on base. The Cyclones attempted to stage a rally late as they plated three runs in the sixth inning thanks to key hits in the middle of the lineup. However, Crab House Yankees pitching shut down the Cyclones in the seventh inning, and finalized a double header sweep which featured only 8 Cyclones men crossing the plate, while the Crab House Yankees plated 20 runs. The Cyclones look to rebound Sunday Night in Neptune, New Jersey with another double header.




October 3rd, 2009 (Game 1)
Final

Crab House Yankees

13

11

1

New Jersey Cyclones

3

8

1

WP: Rich (1-0, 5.54) LP: Cortes (1-1, 4.91)

October 3rd, 2009 (Game 2)
Final

New Jersey Cyclones

4

8

3

Crab House Yankees

7

11

0

WP: Rich (2-0, 5.54) LP: Dilone (0-1, 6.23)