Up until 10 days ago, the Brooklyn Cyclones were smack dab in the middle of the New York-Penn League wild-card race. Then the bottom fell out.

Like their major league parent team that resides in Queens, the Class A Cyclones had an awful losing streak. Nine straight losses ruined their season.

“We had some guys banged up and then they got worse. Some tried to go but they weren’t 100 percent and that is really it,” Brooklyn manager Howard Johnson said last night as the Cyclones finished their season at 38-37 following a 13-10 loss to Williamsport.

“Our guys played as hard as they could and gave everything they had,” Johnson said. “But in the end it just wasn’t enough.”

Although the Cyclones were not able to get back into the playoffs, Johnson was pleased with their progress.

“We battled our way from being a .500 club halfway though the season to putting ourselves in contention up until 10 days ago,” Johnson said.

“The guys as a team did well. What I’ll remember is that they always gave their best the whole way through.”

Still, their absence from the playoffs wasn’t enough to dampen breakthrough performances by several players.

First baseman Jay Caligiuri at one point had his batting average up to .326 before he was slowed by a stress fracture in his left foot, his fourth injury this season.

Shortstop Corey Ragsdale swiped 11 bases while adding a threat in the lineup from the eighth position. Blake Whealy emerged with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and a team-high .289 batting average.

Johnson had mixed reviews about the pitching.

“Our bullpen and our starters were real good at some points, and then not real good at all on others,” Johnson admitted. “But we did have some guys that surprised people.”

One of those guys was starter Kevin Deaton, who took the mound last night and saw his team blow a 9-0 lead. The 6-foot-4 righty finished with a 7-1 record and a 3.05 ERA and 93 strikeouts.

“[Kevin] emerged as a quality starter, had some real strong outings,” Johnson said. “Scott Kazmir and Omar Anez also looked good this season.”

As for Johnson, who admitted the jump from coach to manager was, “a lot more things to worry about and consider,” his return to the Brooklyn dugout isn’t likely.

“I think the plan is to have somebody else come in,” Johnson said. “After two years in this league I would like to move on to a higher level and work with some older guys.”

By the way, did we mention that Johnson and his family just bought a house in Florida that is close to Port St. Lucie?