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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Bees erupt for four in the ninth to down Dragons

August 8, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Dragons (23-22, 58-57) had the chance to win their second consecutive home series and third in the last four with a win in the series finale with the Burlington Bees (19-27, 54-59) on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field. The Dragons picked up wins in the first two games of the set with Burlington taking game three on Monday night. On the strength of a Jay Bruce two run homer in the sixth, Dayton took a 6-4 lead into the top of the seventh inning before the Bees tied the game on a two run homer from Mario Lisson. The visitors erupted for four in the top half on the ninth to gain the series split with the Dragons with a 10-6 win in front of 7,911 at Fifth Third Field.

In a series that had featured solid pitching, by one side or the other in the first three games, the fourth game was a departure from the norm. Neither Dayton starter Rafael Gonzalez (ND) nor Bees starter Daniel Cortes (ND) made it out of the fifth inning. Gonzalez was lifted after 4.2 innings allowing four runs on four hits. Cortes walked the only batter he faced in the fifth before getting the hook, tossing 4.0 innings surrendering five hits and four runs.

With the Dragons trailing 1-0 heading into the bottom of the second, Dayton loaded the bases with two down and picked up the tying run when Cortes hit Mike Griffin with a pitch to force home Craig Tatum. Bruce picked up his first two of four runs batted in on the night with a two RBI double scoring Gerardo Cabrera and Mike DeJesus, giving Dayton a 3-1 lead.

Burlington picked up three in the top half of the fifth, all off Gonzalez and all with two outs. Jose Duarte's RBI double made it 3-2. After a pair of walks, Gonzalez was replaced by Jose Rojas (ND) who gave up a two RBI single to Miguel Vega to give the Bees a 4-3 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Cortes walked the lead off man Adam Rosales who stole second and came home on a double by Eric Eymann that tied the game at 4-4.

Bruce's 15th homer of the season, a two run shot to right in the sixth inning off reliever Mario Santiago (ND) gave the Dragons a short lived 6-4 lead. The Bees would answer on Lisson's third homer of the series, a two run shot to left off Derrik Lutz (ND).

Burlington would pick up the four run winning margin in the top of the ninth off Dragons reliever Damian Ursin (LP, 1-2). A lead off single, a sac bunt four straight singles and an error gave the Bees all the runs they would need to pick up the series tying win. Kraig Schambough blanked the Dragons over the final 1.1 innings to pick up the win.

Following an off day for the Midwest League on Wednesday, the Dragons will open a four game series at Fifth Third Field beginning on Thursday night against the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. RHP Carlos Fisher (9-5, 3.08 ERA) will get the start for the Dragons in the opening game of the series, while the Devil Rays counter with RHP Matt Walker (4-3, 2.89 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons pre game show at 6:30 PM, Thursday night's first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com.

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