Two of the top teams in the Brooklyn/Queens division squared off on June 1, as the Rainmakers and Pirates split a double-header that did little to shake up the standings.

In Game 1, the Rainmakers overcame an early three-run deficit to beat the Pirates 6-3, thanks to some hot hitting from catcher Sergio Bruno who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs on the afternoon. Trevor Brucato, who got the start for the Rainmakers,  was solid in six innings of work, scattering eight hits and allowing just one earned run.

The Pirates, however, were able to flip the script in Game 2, winning 5-4 on a walk-off single by right fielder Abel Jimenez.  Pirates ace Melvin Cortorreal was on point in four innings of work, allowing just one hit and striking out six. Conversely, the Pirates scored two runs on six hits against starter Taylor Wood, who went five innings for the Rainmakers. Although Wood has been dominant thus far in 2013, Pirates manager Jose Bracero said that his team was eager to face the big right-hander.

“Since we’ve come into the league, everyone knows us as a hitting team,” said Bracero. “We have a tendency to hit off the better pitchers, and we always look forward to a challenge.”

In the Bronx/Manhattan division, The Express were able to take two from the Gotham A’s. In Game 1, Express starter Jonathan Bonhomme recorded his second complete game shutout of the year, allowing three hits in a 2-0 win. In the nightcap, the Express bats came alive, tagging A’s hurler Joseph Valentin for seven runs in four innings as they came away with an 11-3 win.

Due to some tough competition and inclement weather in the month of May, the Express had been winless since April 27 heading into their two-game set with the A’s. Now, with two wins under their belt, they are back at .500 as June kicks off.

“[It was] a big sweep for us,” said Express skipper Dan Trotta. “We had lost four in a row, were shut out by Ryan Smith, swept by the D-Backs including a heartbreaker when we had the lead versus [Victor] Padilla, and had a loss versus Giants.

 “Our kids played great defense,” he added.  “And the trio of Bonhomme-Quinones-Santiago came through.”

Elsewhere around the NYCMBL, the Dodgers continued to impose their will in the Single-A division, dropping contender Too Hot in back-to-back games, 6-5 and 10-0. The Dodgers had their hands full in the time-shortened opener and found themselves heading into the bottom of the sixth inning trailing 5-2.  However, the Dodgers stayed patient at the plate, drawing five straight walks before Robert Mongiori’s sac fly plated the tying run. Two batters later, Chris Gillou ended the game on a fielder’s choice that brought the winning run in.

Elmjack carried the momentum from their come-from-behind win into Game 2, launching a seven-run rally in the second inning that was enough to bury their opponents.

The Dodgers remain the only undefeated team in either division.