MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dayton holds on for thrilling win

Published on May 16, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Lansing, Michigan - The Dragons nearly let two three-run leads slip away, but held on for a thrilling, 5-4 win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Saturday night. Byron Wiley made a sliding, game-ending catch with the tying run at third base to preserve the victory. It was the first game of a four-game series and a ten game road trip for Dayton.

The game was scoreless until the top of the third, when the Dragons struck for three runs against Lansing starter Josh Wells. With one out, Cody Puckett doubled to left field and advanced to third on a fielder's choice off the bat of Miguel Rojas. Kyle Day drove in Puckett with an RBI infield single. Stephen Chapman doubled, putting runners on second and third for Humberto Sosa. The Dayton catcher deposited a 2-2 pitch into left field, scoring Day and Chapman and giving the Dragons a 3-0 lead.

Lance Janke started the game for Dayton and left after three innings when he reached his pitch count limit. Oscar Castro entered the game in the fourth inning and allowed an RBI single to Justin McClanahan, cutting the Dragons lead to 3-1.

The Lugnuts added another in the sixth when McClanahan hit a two-out RBI double to left field but was thrown out at third base in an attempt to advance on the throw home.

Dayton responded with a pair of runs in the seventh when Puckett and Rojas drilled back-to-back RBI doubles, putting the Dragons ahead 5-2.

Lansing rallied in the ninth inning when the first two batters reached against Mark James. After retiring the next two men he faced, James was lifted in favor of Jordan Hotchkiss. Kenny Wilson greeted Hotchkiss with an RBI double, cutting the lead to 5-3 and putting runners on second and third.

A wild pitch scored another run, and put the tying run at third base for Tyler Pastornicky. The Lugnuts shortstop hit sinking liner to Wiley, whose sliding catch ended the ballgame.

The series resumes tomorrow at 2:05 when Dayton sends J.C. Sulbaran (0-0) 4.50 to mound to face Lansing.

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Midwest League Stories from May 16, 2009


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