MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Spoil Home Opener for Clinton with 3-2 Win

Published on April 16, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Clinton, IA – The Dayton Dragons spoiled the 2004 home opener for the Clinton Lumber Kings, with a come from behind victory for the third consecutive night, picking up a 3-2 win at Alliant Energy Field in the opening game of the four game series on Friday night.

Luis Noriega (ND) of the Dragons and the Lumber King starter Williams Sarmiento (ND) locked horns in a pitcher's duel right out of the gate. Noriega struck out the first four Clinton batters on the night and set down the first seven he faced, before allowing a one out double in the bottom of the third inning to Emerson Frostad. Noriega fell victim to the two out walk in the home half of the fourth giving up the free pass to Andrew Wishy. Kevin Richardson followed with a two-run HR over the wall in left to give Clinton the 2-0 lead.

Sarmiento was equally impressive, working out of second and third one out jam in the top of the first inning. Sarmiento retired 13 consecutive Dragons before allowing a one out single to Walter Olmstead and a RBI double by Evan Conley, with one out in the fifth. In 4.1 innings, the right hander allowed just one run on four hits, struck out eight and didn't allow a walk.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the top half of the sixth inning, the Dragons got the equalizer off reliever Tim Cunningham (ND). Joey Votto led off the inning with a walk and moved to second base on a single from Ryan Fry. After a Ben Himes ground out to the right side advanced the pair 90 feet, Cunningham uncorked a wild pitch that scored Votto and the game was tied 2-2.

Josh Thigpen (W, 1-1) was lights out after taking over for Noriega to start the fifth inning. In 4.0 innings of work, Thigpen struck out nine and scattered three hits, not allowing a run.

The Dragons and Lumber Kings took the 2-2 tie to the top half of the ninth inning, when Dayton put together a two out rally against Lumber King reliever Craig Frydendall (L, 0-1). With two down, Jeff Urgelles picked up a single and moved to second base when Chris Dickerson drew a base on balls. For the third straight night either the winning or go-ahead run was scored with the bat in the hands of Luis Bolivar. Bolivar picked up a walk off RBI double against Lansing on Wednesday, hit a three-run walk off HR against the Lugnuts on Thursday and smacked a grounder on the right side Friday that snuck under the glove of Lumber King second baseman Tobin Swope. Swope was charged with an error as Urgelles scored the winning run, sliding just ahead of the throw by Dane Bubela to put the Dragons up for good at 3-2.

David Shafer (S, 2) notched his second save of the season blanking Clinton in the ninth. Andrew Wishy worked Shafer for a lead off walk to open the inning. Shafer came back with a strikeout of Richardson and induced Larry Grayson to bounce into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.

The Dragons and Lumber Kings continue the four game series Saturday afternoon at Alliant Energy Field with the first pitch scheduled for 3:00 PM. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live with the pre game show beginning at 2:30 PM. Dayton LHP Tyler Pelland will get the start for the dragons, while Clinton will send RHP Matt Lorenzo to the hill.

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Midwest League Stories from April 16, 2004


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