MWL Dayton Dragons

Dragons Battle Back for Dramatic Walk-off Win Over Lansing

Published on August 22, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - The Dayton Dragons erased a 4-0 deficit with three runs in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts 5-4 on Tuesday night. The win marked the fourth walk-off victory for the Dragons in 2023. A crowd of 7,653 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Dragons remained three and one-half games behind first place West Michigan in the Midwest League East Division standings, but they climbed to within one game of second place Fort Wayne. There are 17 games to play in the second half season.

The Dragons trailed 4-0 and had collected just three hits as they came to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning. Justice Thompson reached on a two-base throwing error to start the inning and scored when Edwin Arroyo singled to center field to make it 4-1. After the next two batters were retired, Jack Rogers blasted a two-run home run to right field to pull the Dragons to within one at 4-3.

The Dragons came to bat in the bottom of the ninth still trailing 4-3. Austin Hendrick singled to right field with one out, and one batter later, Thompson hustled out an infield single on a 3-2 pitch to move Hendrick to third. Arroyo walked on four pitches to load the bases. The next batter, Carlos Jorge, lifted a fly ball toward left-center field. The two Lansing outfielders converged on the ball and center fielder Junior Perez was in position to make the catch, but Perez, perhaps distracted by the approaching left fielder, allowed the ball to slide off his glove for an error as Hendrick and Thompson scored to end the game and give the Dragons a 5-4 victory.

"I just went out there to find my pitch," said Jorge. "I tried to find one. That's it. I hit that ball."

"We work for the whole team. We did the job. We won. That's the most important thing."

Dragons' reliever Owen Holt (5-5), the third Dayton pitcher of the night, was credited with the victory. He pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning. Starter Kevin Abel worked six innings, allowing three runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Jacob Heatherly followed Abel and worked two innings, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

The Dragons finished with eight hits. Rogers had two hits including his two-run home run.

Up Next: The Dragons (26-23, 59-56) host Lansing (21-28, 52-62) on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of the six-game series at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Chris McElvain (1-1, 4.99) is scheduled to start for Dayton. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.

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Midwest League Stories from August 22, 2023


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