MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Come From Behind to Pick Up 5-3 Win

Published on May 29, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Burlington, IA– With a win over the Dayton Dragons (21-28) on Sunday afternoon, the Burlington Bees (22-27) would take the lead in the all time series between the two teams. Burlington picked up wins on Friday and Saturday night to tie the all time series between the two clubs at 23-23. The Bees, have never led in the all time series and will have to wait to take their first series lead. Dayton picked up a come from behind 5-3 win scoring three in the eighth inning after the start of the game was delayed 33 minutes by rain.

The Dragons faced the ace of the Burlington staff, Luis Cota (ND) on Sunday and got to the right hander in the top half of the first inning. Paul Janish and Ben Himes picked up back to back doubles with one down. Himes' two base hit scored Janish and Dayton led 1-0.

The Bees got to Dragons starter Philippe Valiquette (ND) with a single run in the second to tie the game at 1-1 and took a 2-1 lead with a single run in the third. Alan Moye led off the second with a single, stole second and after moving to third on a ground out, scored on a wild pitch. In the third inning, Burlington gained the advantage at 2-1 on a walk, a fielder's choice, a Janish throwing error at short and a sac fly.

Dayton tied the game in fifth off Cota with an unearned run. Cody Strait led the inning off with an infield single and stole second base. With two down, Phil Gentry's grounder to second was booted by Irving Falu scoring Strait for a 2-2 tie.

Joe Wilson (WP, 2-0) replaced Valiquette to begin the bottom of the sixth. Valiquette's 5.0 innings of work marked his longest outing of the '05 season and as a pro. The lefthander allowed five hits and two earned runs, with one strikeout, three walks and a wild pitch. With two down in his first inning of work, Wilson surrendered a solo HR to Miguel Vega giving Burlington the 3-2 lead.

Dayton trailed 3-2 heading into the top of the eighth inning and got the come from behind win off Wooster Ohio's Adam Rowe (LP, 3-2). Rowe, who struck out the side in the seventh, did not fare as well in the eighth. Gentry led off the inning with a single and was moved to second on a sac bunt by Janish. Himes followed with an RBI single to center scoring Gentry and the game was tied at 3-3. Jeremiah Popcorn broke the 3-3 tie with a two run shot to left off Rowe to put Dayton up 5-3. Piepkorn's third homer of the season was the game winner for the Dragons who snapped a two game skid with the win.

Blake Hendley (SV, 4) took over for Wilson in the ninth inning and set down Burlington in order to pick up his fourth save.

The Dragons and Burlington Bees wrap up the four game series at Community Field in Burlington, Iowa Monday afternoon at 3:00 PM. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM carries Monday's game live beginning with the pre game show at 2:30 PM. The Dragons will throw RHP Homer Bailey, while the Bees counter with LHP Patrick Green.

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Midwest League Stories from May 29, 2005


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