MWL Dayton Dragons

Dragons Blast 3 Home Runs in an Inning, Hold off West Michigan to Win 8-7

Published on July 28, 2022 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Dayton Dragons hit three home runs to key a seven-run third inning and held off the West Michigan Whitecaps 8-7 on Thursday night. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Dragons.

Dayton reliever Vin Timpanelli struck out three batters in the bottom of the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead, turning away a West Michigan comeback effort. The Dragons held an 8-1 lead in the fourth inning before West Michigan started back.

The Dragons improved their second half record to 7-18 (46-45 overall). West Michigan, who had won 18 of their last 22 games, fell to 20-7 in the second half (51-42 overall).

The Dragons won on the road for the first time since June 30, snapping a nine-game road losing streak, one short of the club record set in 2009.

Game Recap: The Dragons trailed 1-0 when they exploded for a big inning in the third. J.V. Martinez walked to start the inning and went to third on Quincy McAfee's double to the left field fence. Austin Hendrick singled to right field to drive in Martinez and tie the game, and Brian Rey followed with a three-run home run to right field to give the Dragons a 4-1 lead. One batter later, Jose Torres tripled to left-center, and Mat Nelson blasted a home run to left field to make it 6-1. The homer by Nelson was his seventh of the season. Quin Cotton followed with another home run, this one off the batter's eye in center field, to make it 7-1.

The Dragons matched their biggest inning of the season with their seven-run third, and also matched their season high for most home runs in an inning with three including back-to-backers by Nelson and Cotton.

The Dragons scored another run in the fourth, and it turned out to be an important one, as Tyler Callihan delivered an RBI single to make it 8-1.

West Michigan scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Dragons lead to 8-6. They added another run in the seventh to pull within one of tying the game.

Dragons reliever Myles Gayman pitched a perfect eighth inning, and Timpanelli entered the game to work the ninth with an 8-7 lead. Timpanelli struck out the first two batters of the inning, then hit Josh Crouch with a pitch on a check swing. With the tying run at first base, Timpanelli struck out Corey Joyce on three pitches to end the game and earn the save.

The Dragons finished with nine hits. Rey and Torres each had two. McAfee reached base three times with a double and two walks. The Dragons were 4 for 11 with runners in scoring position, their best performance in clutch situations in July. Three of the four hits came in the third inning.

Dragons starting pitcher Christian Roa worked three and one-third innings and walked six while allowing three runs. Reliever Manuel Cachutt (2-1) was credited with the win despite allowing three of the five runs in the fourth inning.

Up Next: The Dragons take on the Whitecaps again on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. in the fourth game of the series. Thomas Farr (0-6, 5.88) will start for Dayton.

The Dragons return home to Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District on Tuesday, August 2 when they host the Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) in the start of a six-game series. For ticket information, go 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.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from July 28, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central