MWL Dayton Dragons

Dragons Collect 16 Hits, Win 11-4 to Clinch Winning Road Trip

August 14, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Lansing, Mich. - Juan Martinez drove in five runs and Alex McGarry hit a long home run as part of a 16-hit Dayton attack and the Dragons defeated the Lansing Lugnuts 11-4 on Saturday night. The win allowed the Dragons to clinch a winning record on their 13-game road trip. They are 7-5 on the trip with one game to play.

The Dragons reached double-figures in runs for the third time in their five games in Lansing. The first six hitters in the Dayton batting order had at least two hits in the contest. Dayton's offensive explosion gave the club 46 runs in the first five games of the series, six more than they had scored in any series this season with a game still on the schedule for Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.

The Dragons took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a titanic home run by McGarry that was clocked off the bat at 108 mph. The homer was McGarry's second of the series and fifth of the year. The Dragons added two more runs in the sixth, keyed by a run-scoring triple by Mat Nelson in his first game with the club. Nelson, the NCAA national home run champion this spring at Florida State, had two hits and two RBI in his High-A debut.

After Lansing scored in the bottom of the sixth to make it 3-1, the Dragons responded with a five-run eighth inning to take a commanding 8-1 lead. Martinez had a two-run double in the inning and James Free added a two-run single. The Dragons added three more in the ninth, keyed by another two-run double by Martinez. Quin Cotton, who had three hits in the game, added a run-scoring double to put Dayton ahead 11-1. Lansing scored three in the bottom of the ninth to close out the scoring.

Dragons starting pitcher Eduardo Salazar pitched well and earned the win. Salazar (3-5) matched his season high with six innings of work, allowing just one run on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts. JC Keys tossed a scoreless seventh inning. Braxton Roxby, in his first game back with the Dragons after a stint in Double-A with Chattanooga, pitched a perfect eighth inning before surrendering three runs in the ninth.

Martinez and Cotton each had three hits for Dayton. Free, Nelson, Michael Siani, and Ivan Johnson each had two hits. The Dragons were 7 for 12 with men in scoring position.

Notes: Before the game, the Dragons activated catcher Nelson, the NCAA Division I home run champion for 2021. Nelson hit 23 homers at Florida State and earned many honors including national player of the year from Perfect Game/Rawlings, the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, and unanimous 1st Team All-American. He also won the Johnny Bench Award and Buster Posey Award, given to the nation's top catcher. Nelson replaced outfielder Reniel Ozuna on the roster. Ozuna was placed on the Dayton development list.

The Race: The Dragons moved into a tie with Cedar Rapids in the battle for the final High-A Central League playoff slot. They hold a one-game lead in the East Division over Lake County and Great Lakes, who are tied for second place.

Up Next: The Dragons (48-41) close out the 13-game road trip on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. against Lansing (42-47). Christian Roa (1-0, 1.50) will start for the Dragons against Lansing's Jack Owen, who will make his professional debut.

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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