Two-way player Nolan McLean, the New York’s No. 19 prospect on MLB Pipeline’s list, continues to wield a hot bat, as he went 3-5 with an RBI and run scored. Plus, right fielder Ryan Clifford (2-3), the Mets’ fourth rated prospect, reached base three times, while shortstop Kevin Villavicencio went 2-5 with two RBI and a run scored to help lead the Brooklyn Cyclones (Single-A/New York Mets) past the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies), 9-7, Saturday at ShoreTown Ballpark.
Brooklyn (6-8) scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning, swelling its lead to 8-2. However, the BlueClaws (8-6) would battle back, cutting the Cyclones’ advantage to 8-7 in the sixth frame. But Brooklyn added an insurance run in the top of the eighth when third baseman Wilfredo Lara reached on an infield single, advanced on an error, and scored on a Joe Lorusso single to left, increasing its margin to 9-7.
Righty Justin Lawson came in the ninth inning and slammed the door shut on Jersey Shore for his third save of the season.
Right-handed pitcher Victor Castañeda (1-1) picked up his first victory as a member of the New York Mets’ organization, striking out four batters across two hitless and scoreless innings of relief.
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— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 