New York Penn League Playoffs: Renegades Combine On One-Hit Shutout; Cyclones Eliminated

The Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones at their own game.  They out pitched the league’s top pitching staff.  In the decisive Game Three showdown at Dutchess Stadium between the Renegades and ‘Clones, Hudson Valley’s starting pitcher, Taylor Guerrieri, and their bullpen combined on a one-hit shutout.  The Renegades win the semi final series two games to one, and will now face the Tri City Valley Cats in the 2012 New York Penn League championship series.

June 05, 2011; Flushing, NY, USA; The New York Mets logo behind home plate before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Braves 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Andrew B. Fielding-US PRESSWIRE

Taylor Guerrieri was opposed by Brooklyn’s Luis Cessa.  By major league standards, Luis Cessa’s efforts constituted a quality start.  He pitched six full innings, allowed four hits, and surrendered two earned runs.  He walked one batter and struck out three.  Thing is, after Hudson Valley scored two quick runs in the first inning, neither team scored again.  Except for a Phillip Evans single in the third inning, the Cyclones remained hit-less as well.  This lack of offensive output by Brooklyn came on the heals of a one run, six hit, showing in Game Two.  You may largely credit Hudson Valley’s bullpen for that.  For a second consecutive game, they pitched lights out baseball in support of starter Jeff Ames on Sunday, and Taylor Guerrieri in Game Three.

Taylor Guerrieri struggled with his control however, and thus walked five batters.  He was relieved after four innings.  Taylor did manage to limit Brooklyn to one hit, and struck out three.  When Hudson Valley rang the bullpen phone, they called for Brandon Henderson.  The Renegade reliever then delivered 4.1 innings of brilliant relief.  He walked no batters, allowed no hits, and struck out six Cyclones.  His efforts earned him the game win.  Ryan Garton was the third Renegades pitcher of the evening.  He secured the final two outs of the game to earn the save.

The only offensive support Hudson Valley hurlers needed was a single, a triple, and a little help from a Luis Cessa wild pitch in the first.  That’s how the home team gained a 2-0 lead.  And that’s how they wrapped up the series in Game Three.  For Brooklyn, another playoff season ends the same way eight other post-season campaigns have ended for them, in elimination.  They now own an all time 12-19 record in the playoffs.