Coney

[Edgy MD]

Brooklyn opened the season this weekend by taking two out of three from the local rival Staten Island Yankees. First baseman Jeff Diehl has set the pace so far, going 3�5 with a home run in the two games he has appeared in. Recent draftee Vincent Siena (the new Mazzilli) is 3-10 with three walks.

Starting pitchers Tyler Badamo and Michael Gibbons walked off with the wins, with Gaby Almonte taking the lone loss. The bullpen threw 12 2/3 scoreless innings over the weekend, led by Carlos Valdez and Alex Paisha, who threw 3 1/3 each.

Catching and infielding for the Cyclones is Manuel Hilario, who you may remember from last year in the Gulf Coast League, his season ending after a base running collision triggered a frightening on-field seizure, and a game-ending medical airlift from the field.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Tyler Badamo's local (Mount Sinai, out by Brookhaven), and expected to pitch his way off the staff (in a good way), IIRC.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

We saw the Clones play on Thursday. Badamo pitched pretty well, but lost 2-1 to the CT Tigers. Kind of a squat chubby build on him.

I wasn't aware, but witnessed the pro debut of 4th-round draftee David Thompson (he smashed into a DP as a pinch-hitter). Hawaiian 2B Brandon Kapue tripled and scored the only run. Center fielder Emanuel Zabala (never heard of him) looks like a good athlete. Just 20 years old.

Biggest impression -- literally -- made by first baseman Zach Mathieu, who makes Duda look like Dilson Herrera's little brother. Listed at 6-7, 265, thick black beard, looks like Paul F. Bunyon, and from New Hampshire. He's only hit 3 home runs in his career unfortunately and is in his 3rd pro year (16th round draftee in 2013). Had a single and a throwing error.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I swear to Jeebus, I hear the names on this squad, and I think we're hearing an update about the Ghanaian soccer team.

[Edgy MD]

Michael Bernal is 3-3 for Coney Island this evening. Double, triple, and home run.

Up right now in the seventh inning as the Cyclones lead the the Auburn Doubledays 11-4.

OHHHH! He rips it to center, but lines into a double play.

[Edgy MD]

Thirteen strikeouts through seven innings for Brooklyn pitchers.

Innings 2-4 were pitched for Auburn by a fellow named Mariano Rivera, Jr. The Clones only scored once off of him, but it was his first run yielded as a professional.

Junior was on in relief of Auburn's starter, a fella named "Joan Baez." Seriously.

[MFS62]

Mathieu and Kaupe standing next to each other reminds you that people of all sizes can play baseball.
As noted above, Mathieu is 6'7" while Kaupe looks to be 5'3".

Later

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, Kaupe listed at 5'7" but I wouldn't be surprised to find out he's shorter. He's also got one of those Polynesian fireplug builds � low to the ground with a rock-solid powerful core. Looks like he's be a good punt returner. Very Backmanian, in fact.

[fimg=500:3fdt0r4p]http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/2873037/kaupe1_BRYANGREEN.png[/fimg:3fdt0r4p]

[seawolf17]

Good times last night in Brooklyn, despite the home team getting whomped 4-0. Last night's giveaway:

MFS62 wrote: Mathieu and Kaupe standing next to each other reminds you that people of all sizes can play baseball. As noted above, Mathieu is 6'7" while Kaupe looks to be 5'3".

Mathieu is ENORMOUS in person, even standing next to normal-sized people.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Good times last night in Brooklyn, despite the home team getting whomped 4-0. Last night's giveaway:

What? The Mets didn't give permission to use the real logo and wordmark on Finch?

[Guest themetfairy]

I love the French horn!

[seawolf17]

There aren't any Mets logos on it. The hat is a Cyclones hat.

[batmagadanleadoff]

seawolf17 wrote: The hat is a Cyclones hat.

Why?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Well, because it's a Cyclones giveaway. Doy.

After spending an offday-for-everyone at Luna Park and the boardwalk, we hit tonight's game with full hearts and throats. Between tonight's giveaway (a garish jersey "tribute" to the 1955 Dodgers) and the home team's performance (a listless 5-0 loss to Aberdeen), we left with figurative stomachs emptied.

But hey, apparently Desmond Lindsay has been promoted (1-for-4 with a steal)! An actual prospect in Brooklyn this summer, and it only took until late August!