Morris Takes Perfect Game Into Seventh Inning; Suero, Omar de Los Santos Hit Homeruns as Brooklyn Beats Rome 12-5

July 26, 2024 – South Atlantic League (SAL)
Brooklyn Cyclones Press Release

BROOKLYN, NY — Thanks to a hot start from RHP Kade Morris, combined with a five-run second inning and a four-run fourth inning, the Brooklyn Cyclones crushed the Rome Emperors 12-5 on Friday night. The win gives Brooklyn at least a series split of the six-game set, with its third win in the first four games. The 11 runs are the most Brooklyn has scored in a game since June 7 against Aberdeen, when they scored a season-high 13.

Morris continued his stellar summer – playing a perfect game into the seventh inning. He retired the first 18 batters he faced. Morris’s last line took a turn for the worse, as he surrendered three runs in the seventh. That said, the three runs Morris allowed are the most he’s allowed in a single game since June 15 at Hudson Valley. The Modesto, CA native walked no one while striking out six Emperors.

Offensively, both C Chris Suero and LF Omar De Los Santos hit home runs. In addition to those two, SS Mateo Gil (3), 1B Kellum Clark (3), CF Nick Morabito (2) and 3B Jefrey De Los Santos (2) all had multi-hit affairs.

For the first time in the current home game, the Cyclones were able to get the game’s first run. It came in a chaotic second half that saw Brooklyn switch the order and put five men on the plate.

The scoring began on an RBI double by Jefrey De Los Santos, scoring Gil for the game’s first run. Then Jefrey De Los Santos would come home to score on the first of two Rome errors – this one made by 2B Carlos Arroyo – to double Brooklyn’s lead to 2-0.

Later in the frame, Morabito connected for an RBI single to score the Cyclones’ third run of the frame. The ‘Clones weren’t done yet, as an RBI groundout by DH Wilfredo Lara and an RBI double by Suero completed the five-run frame.

RHP Luis Vargas went two full innings and accounted for all five runs Brooklyn scored in the second inning.

Brooklyn put together another excellent offensive frame two innings later in the fourth inning. Suero led off with his fifth home run of the season with Lara on base to give the Cyclones a 7-0 lead.

After 2B Junior Tilien walked, a throwing error by RHP Tyree Thompson allowed the Brooklyn second baseman to come all the way around and score from first. Moments later, Clark drove an RBI single through the right side to make it 9-0 Cyclones.

Brooklyn didn’t need much more, but Omar De Los Santos delivered with his fourth home run in the last seven games, driving in two runs to make it 11-0.

LF Ethan Workinger singled off Morris to start the seventh, disrupting Morris’ perfect game. Rome would also disrupt the shutout in the same frame, scoring three runs on a 1B Drew Compton RBI single and C Adam Zebrowski two-run triple.

The two teams would trade runs the rest of the way. Rome would score one in the eighth inning when RHP Ben Simon uncorked a wild pitch with a runner on third. That would cut Rome’s deficit to seven runs, 11-4.

In the home half, an RBI groundout by Jefrey De Los Santos brought the lead back to eight runs (12-4). Although Rome got one run back in the ninth inning, the Cyclones held on thanks to an RBI single by SS EJ Exposito and secured a convincing 12-5 victory.

Brooklyn returns to action Saturday night as it looks to win the series. LHP Felipe De La Cruz (3-6, 4.19 ERA) takes the ball for Brooklyn. He will face RHP Blake Burhalter (0-2, 3.10 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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