MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Big Second Inning Leads to Silver Hawks Victory

Published on July 7, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


South Bend, IN - Taking a page from the Dragons play book, the South Bend Silver Hawks used a big inning to rally over the Dragons 9-5 in game one of the three game series. While it wasn't quite as big as the 11 runs in a frame the Dragons posted twice in the series against the Great Lakes Loons, a five run second inning combined with a three run fifth led South Bend to the victory at Coveleski Stadium.

Dayton jumped on South Bend starter Derik Nippert (WP, 4-1) for two runs in the top of the first inning. Drew Stubbs drew a four pitch walk to start the ballgame, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single to right by Justin Turner. Turner ended up at second base when Gerardo Parra overran the baseball in right field, and came in to score the second run of the inning one out later on a single from Denis Phipps. Nippert settled down and set the next two down on strikes, but the Dragons had the 2-0 lead before South Bend had a chance to swing the bats.

Dayton added another run in the top of the second to make the score 3-0. Logan Parker tripled to center field to begin the inning, and Zack Cozart drove him home with a sacrifice fly. The triple for Parker was his 3 rd on the season, tying him with Chris Valaika for the team lead in that category.

South Bend chased Dragons starter Daniel Guerrero (LP, 1-2) from the game in the second inning. Five runs scored in the inning, with Daniel Perales contributing a two-run home run and Manny Ferrer adding a two RBI double. After allowing the five runs and then walking his third hitter of the inning, Guerrero was lifted in favor of Daniel Donaldson (ND). Donaldson issued a walk, but got the final out of the inning. Guerrero's final line included 1.2 innings of five hit, five run baseball.

In the back and forth game, the Dragons came back with one in the third. Phipps was hit by a pitch with two outs, and aggressive base running allowed him to score from first on an infield hit from Chris Heisey. Heisey beat the throw to first, but Phipps never stopped running, rounding second and heading to third. First baseman Brad Miller overthrew the third baseman, and Phipps scored on the error to make the score 5-4.

After allowing a run in the fourth, the end of the night for Donaldson came in the bottom half of the fifth inning after a lead off walk and a base hit. The left hander was lifted in favor of Misael DeJesus (ND) out of the Dragons pen. Both inherited runners would come across the plate as the Silver Hawks picked up the two left on base by Donaldson and one more who reached off DeJesus. Three runs total scored in the inning, and South Bend took a 9-4 lead.

The Dragons tried to chip away in the top of the sixth against reliever Chad Beck (ND), picking up a single from Phipps and a double from Heisey to bring Dayton back within four. Heisey was at second base with nobody out, but the Dragons couldn't push him across the plate. The final three outs of the sixth started a string of nine in a row that Beck set down. Ramon Sanchez (ND) got the final three outs to wrap up the victory for South Bend.

The Dragons and Silver Hawks continue the three game series with a matinee Sunday at 1:30 PM from Coveleski Stadium. LHP Travis Webb (5-4, 3.52 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Dragons, with South Bend will send LHP Eddie Romero (6-3, 4.10 ERA) to the mound. 1410 ESPN Radio will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 1:00 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are also streamed live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com via All In Broadcasting.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from July 7, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central