MWL Dayton Dragons

Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Friday (7:10 PM Start)

Published on June 2, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Friday, June 2, 2023lGame # 49

Day Air Ballparkl Dayton, Ohio l7:10 p.m.

TV: Dayton's CW (26)l Radio: Fox Sports 980 WONE

West Michigan Whitecaps (28-20) at Dayton Dragons (23-25)

RH Williander Moreno (3-0, 3.38) vs. RH Julian Aguiar (2-0, 1.60)

Today's Game: The Dayton Dragons (affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) host the West Michigan Whitecaps (affiliate of the Detroit Tigers) in the fourth game of a six-game series.

Last Game: Thursday: West Michigan 6, Dayton 5. After Ruben Ibarra blasted a game-tying two-run home run in the sixth inning, West Michigan regained the lead with three runs in the eighth and held off a ninth inning Dragons comeback bid to win. Dayton trailed 6-3 going to the bottom of the ninth but scored two runs and had the tying run at third with one out. The final out of the game came on a diving catch by 1B Chris Meyers on a line drive off the bat of Austin Hendrick with the bases loaded.

Current Series (May 30-June 4 vs. West Michigan): The Dragons are 1-2 in the set. Dayton team stats in the series: .225 batting average; 4.0 runs/game; 3 home runs; 3 stolen bases; 2.67 ERA; 3 errors. On the year, the Dragons are 4-5 vs. West Michigan.

Team Notes

The Dragons have lost two straight games after a season-high six game winning streak. All six wins were close, low-scoring games in which the winning team (Dayton) scored four runs or less. Dayton pitchers allowed two runs or less in five of the six wins (and three runs in the other). In each of the two losses (Wednesday and Thursday), West Michigan scored six runs and had a big inning late to go ahead.

During the six-game winning streak, Dragons pitchers allowed a total of 10 runs (8 earned) with a team ERA of 1.33. The combined opposing batting average during the six games was .169 (31 for 183).

The Dragons allowed just 11 runs in the six-game series at South Bend (May 23-28), the fewest they have allowed in a full series since they surrendered nine runs in a six-game set at Fort Wayne, April 26-May 1, 2022.

The Dragons went 15-11 in May after going 8-13 in April.

In May, Dragons pitchers have the best WHIP (Walks + Hits per inning) in all Minor League Baseball (120 teams) (1.07).

In May, Dragons pitchers had a 2.94 ERA to rank first in the MWL (third in Minor League Baseball). Opponents hit .204 against the Dragons in May, also the best mark in the league (fourth best in MiLB), and Dragons pitchers issued the fewest walks in the league in May with 77 in 26 games (tied for second fewest in MiLB).

Player Notes

Dragons starting pitcher Julian Aguiar will be a strong contender for both MWL and Cincinnati Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May. He allowed only one earned run in May covering 22 innings (allowing one unearned run), just seven hits with four walks and 23 strikeouts with an ERA of 0.41. For the year, he leads the MWL in ERA (1.60) and opponent batting average (.147).

Other Dragons starting pitchers have also posted excellent ERAs on the year. Chase Petty has an ERA of 0.56 in just 16 innings (four starts). Jose Acuña (2.41), Hunter Parks (3.24) and Thomas Farr (3.46) also have strong ERAs.

Ruben Ibarra over his last nine games is batting .286 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

Upcoming Probable Pitchers (Game times are Dayton time) (All games on WONE 980 AM and www.daytondragons.com)

Saturday, June 3 (7:10 pm): West Michigan RH Wilkel Hernandez (1-3, 4.26) at Dayton RH Jose Acuña (3-0, 2.41) TV: Dayton's CW (26)

Sunday, June 4 (1:10 pm): West Michigan TBA at Dayton RH Thomas Farr (0-2, 3.46) TV: Dayton's CW (26)

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 2, 2023


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