By Jerry Del Priore

Pitcher Merandy Gonzalez with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Ex-Brooklyn Cyclone right-handed hurler Merandy Gonzalez tossed six scoreless innings, earning the 6-0 win over Augusta in his first start of the season last night for the full-season Single-A Columbia Fireflies of the South Athletic League (SAL).

Gonzalez (1-0) whiffed six batters and surrendered just one walk in the victory.

Gonzalez enjoyed a fantastic campaign with Brooklyn (short-season Single-A) last year, posting a 6-3 record with 2.87 ERA, 71 Ks and 27 bases on balls in 69 innings of work across 14 games.

The Cotui, Dominican Republic, native spent two seasons (2013-14) with the Dominican Summer League Mets before traveling stateside to play for the Gulf Coast League Mets (rookie) and the Kingsport Mets (rookie) in 2015.

Noteworthy: Outfielder and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow blasted his second round tripper of the campaign, a three-run shot over the right-field wall at Spirit Communications Park.