Thanks in part to two key errors, along with a strong performance from the opposing pitching staff, the Brooklyn Cyclones are one game away from seeing their hopes for a New York-Penn League title come to an end after losing 3-1 to Mahoning Valley at KeySpan Park last night.

The Cyclones committed errors on sacrifice bunts in the third and seventh innings, each time allowing Mahoning Valley to score. Those runs, along with a solo home run from Jason Kipnis in the fourth inning, proved to be enough to hand Brooklyn a Game 1 loss in the best-of-three series.

“We have been working on this for 2½-3 months,” Cyclones manager Pedro Lopez said of his team’s bunt defense. “People might think, ‘Why are we doing this?’ and right there is the reason why.

“You win and lose ballgames that way, and it showed tonight.”

Along with its poor defensive effort, Brooklyn couldn’t find a way to figure out Mahoning Valley’s Clayton Cook. Over 5 2/3 shutout innings, Cook allowed two hits, struck out six and walked one.

Brooklyn starter Mark Cohoon also had a strong outing, though he was saddled with the loss. He gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking none.

“[Cohoon] had an outstanding performance out there,” Lopez said. “I thought he could come out with a win. . . . Unfortunately the bats didn’t help him, but you cant take anything away from their pitcher.”

The Cyclones have to win both today and tomorrow in order to advance to the league’s championship series this weekend.

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Zoilo Almonte’s home run leading off the top of the ninth inning gave the Staten Island Yankees a 3-2 win over Lowell (Mass.), putting them ahead 1-0 in the best-of-three series.

The Baby Yanks return home for Game 2 tonight, and will advance to the championship series with a win either tonight or tomorrow.

tbontemps@nypost.com