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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons and Eddy Rodriguez Walk Off Over Lugnuts

June 5, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - Knowing that West Michigan had already won, the Dragons took to the field Tuesday night needing a victory to remain 3.5 games up on the Whitecaps. A victory would also put the Dragons six games up on Lansing , the same margin as when the series started Saturday night. The final game of the series with the Lugnuts came down to one pitch: Lansing 's Paul Phillips (LP, 1-1) vs. Dayton 's Eddy Rodriguez. Rodriguez hit the only pitch that Phillips threw in the bottom of the ninth inning over the Dragons Lair in left field for a solo home run and the walk off 5-4 victory.

Lansing jumped out front with a run in the top of the first, but the Dragons wouldn't let the Lugnuts stay in front for long. Three straight singles in the second inning from Chris Heisey, Jason Louwsma, and Eddy Rodriguez netted the Dragons the tying run off Lugnuts starter Reidier Gonzalez (ND). The Dragons had the bases loaded with one out, but a fly ball from Drew Stubbs turned into a double play as Louwsma was out at the plate after trying to tag.

After missing the opportunity to take the lead in the second, the Dragons secured it in the third. Justin Turner led off the inning with a double, and then scored one out later when Juan Francisco doubled down the left field line to put the Dragons ahead 2-1. After Heisey picked up another single, Logan Parker drove Francisco home with a fielder's choice, and the Dragons led 3-1.

Lansing came back with two more runs off of Travis Webb (ND) in the top of the fifth. On a bunt attempt, Jonathan Diaz was ruled safe at first base even though it appeared that Webb had applied the tag prior to Diaz getting to the bag. After a single from Raul Barron and a wild pitch, Travis Snider picked up a two RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. That was the end of the night for Webb, as he allowed three runs on six hits while striking out four.

The Dragons took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning against Gonzalez. Heisey, after his third hit of the ballgame, was at third base with Eddy Rodriguez at the plate and two outs. The Dragons catcher hit a deep one out to center, a place where Yuber Rodriguez has caught fly ball after fly ball all series long. After getting a beat on the baseball, Yuber Rodriguez settled under it, but had it go in and out of his glove for an error, allowing Heisey to score the go ahead run.

Misael DeJesus (ND) pitched great for 2.2 innings, striking out six and leaving after the 8 th in line to pick up the victory. DeJesus did not get the victory, however, because Matt Liuzza took the first pitch from Dragons closer Jose Rojas (WP, 1-2) over the right-center field fence to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the ninth.

After an off day Wednesday, the Dayton Dragons resume the home stand Thursday with five games against the West Michigan Whitecaps. The series opener will get underway Thursday evening with a 7:00 PM first pitch. The Dragons will start RHP Sean Watson (4-2, 1.81 ERA) while West Michigan counters with RHP Angel Castro (5-3, 2.08 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are also carried live on the internet via All In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.

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