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MWL Dayton Dragons

Dragons Battle Back to Earn Doubleheader Split

September 2, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - The Dayton Dragons bounced back after a tough loss in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday to come from behind in game two and earn a split with the Lansing Lugnuts. Lansing won the first game, 4-3, scoring all four runs in the final inning, while the Dragons took the nightcap, 5-3.

Dragons reliever Jake Gilbert, who had just rejoined the ballclub earlier in the day, induced a bases-loaded double play ball from the only batter he faced to end the game and earn the save in game two.

In the first game, the Dragons took a 3-0 lead to the final inning before Lansing's William Simoneit belted a two-out grand slam home run off an 0-2 pitch from Dayton reliever Francis Peguero to give the Lugnuts a 4-3 lead and their margin of victory. Peguero issued back-to-back walks with two outs to load the bases before Simoneit's grand slam. The Dragons got a second inning two-run home run from Alex McGarry while Quin Cotton went 3 for 3 in the game.

In the second game, the Dragons trailed 2-1 before scoring three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead. Reyny Reyes and Jonathan Willems each had base hits to start the rally, and Jacob Hurtubise drove in Reyes with a hit to center field to tie the game. Lansing pitcher Shohei Tomioka then uncorked three wild pitches to bring in Willems and then Hurtubise to give the Dragons a 4-2 lead. After Lansing scored one run in the fifth, Hurtubise manufactured a run in the sixth when he walked, stole second, took third on an error, and scored on Quin Cotton's ground out to make it 5-3.

In the seventh and final scheduled inning, Dragons reliever Matt Gill allowed an infield single to start the inning, and after a diving catch by center fielder Allan Cerda for the first out, a double by Shane Selman left runners at second and third. Gill ran the count to 3-2 to the next hitter before leaving the game in the middle of the at-bat with an apparent injury. Gilbert replaced him and fired ball four with his first pitch for a walk that was charged to Gill, loading the bases with one out. Gilbert then got Austin Beck to ground to Matt McLain at short, who started a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

McLain stole three bases in the second game, going 2 for 2 with two singles and two walks. Victor Ruiz hit a second inning solo home run, his fifth of the year, and Cotton was 2 for 4 with an RBI, going 5 for 7 in the doubleheader. Hurtubise was 1 for 3 with a single and walk, two runs scored, a stolen base, and an RBI.

The second game victory was credited to Andy Fisher (4-1), who threw two scoreless innings and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth with back-to-back strikeouts.

Notes: The first game of the doubleheader marked only the second time all season that the Dragons took a lead to the final inning at home but lost the game. It was also only the second one-run loss at home for the Dragons in 2021, and only the third time all year that the Dragons scored the first run of the game at home before eventually losing.

The Race: The Dragons trail Cedar Rapids by three games in the race for the final playoff spot with 16 games to play. Dayton is two games behind Great Lakes and Lake County in the East Division of the High-A Central League (division winner not guaranteed a playoff berth).

Up Next: The Dragons (54-50) host Lansing (49-55) again on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Day Air Ballpark. Christian Roa (1-2, 7.02) will pitch for Dayton against Lansing's Kyle Virbitsky (0-0, 4.50).

On the Air: All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on 980 WONE AM Fox Sports. 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.

For Dragons 2021 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287 or go to daytondragons.com.

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