Cyclone offense sputters to open season

When asked a “tongue in cheek” question following Sunday’s 5-3 loss to Hudson Valley whether he should consider requesting the hitting services of Tim Tebow, Cyclones Manager Edgardo Alfonzo simply laughed.

Considering the Cyclones had just dropped their third straight game for a 2-4 record and Tebow is up for promotion from Low-A Columbia to High-A St. Lucie, Fonzie mused over the question before he answered “No,” stating such a move wouldn’t be in the best interest of his young club.

He noted that Tebow in the lineup would increase attendance, but would not benefit his players with a lot of fanfare and curiosity over one former NFL player attempting to make the major leagues.

According to Fonzie, there’s no secret that his pitchers aren’t getting the run support to help close the door on games. In fact, his position players left 19 runners in scoring position in two recent 10-4 and 5-3 losses to Hudson Valley.

Despite a morning team meeting focused on “do[ing] the little things right,” the Cyclones were still stymied from the beginning of the game by Hudson Valley’s 19-year-old lefty Resly Linares who allowed just one run on two hits along with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Although the Cyclones’ losing starter Jake Simon hung in the game for 5.1 innings and adequately mixed up his pitches to give up three runs on six hits along with three strikeouts, his offense couldn’t keep pace or go ahead of Hudson Valley.

Despite the lack of run support, Fonzie declared, “Simon still did a good job on the mound for us today.”

Noting that the Cyclones had played better on the road to get their first two wins of the season in Burlington, Vermont, Fonzie stated that the team must still find its comfort level at home and “start playing the game the way it’s supposed to.”

With the Cyclones at 2-4 tied with 2-4 Aberdeen for third place, the Staten Island Yankees have gotten a quick hold on first place with a 5-1 record while 4-2 Hudson Valley is close behind in second place.