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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons come all the way back, lose in 10

June 5, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Dragons (27-31) showed a lot of heart and determination in rallying from a 7-0 deficit in the early innings to the Beloit Snappers (28-28). Dayton tied the game at 7-7 in the 8th inning, but ran out of steam as Beloit pushed the winning run across the plate in the 10th inning to win the final game of the four game series by the score of 8-7 at Fifth Third Field.

The Snappers got started in a big way in the first inning off Dragons starter Philippe Valiquette (ND). Paul Kelly reached on a fielder's choice, Eric Lis singled, and Edward Ovalle drove them both home to give Beloit the early 2-0 advantage. Ovalle scored all the way from first on an Eli Tintor triple, and after a half inning of baseball Beloit led 3-0.

Beloit added three more runs in the second. Toby Gardenhire and Tarrence Patterson had back-to-back singles with one out off Valiquette. Caleb Moore followed with a bomb over the seats in left field. The second home run of the season for Moore gave the Snappers a 6-0 lead. A solo home run by Henry Sanchez in the third inning put the lead for Beloit at 7-0.

All was not lost for the Dragons, as they began their comeback in the bottom of the fourth. Jay Bruce drew a one-out walk off Beloit starter Eddie Morlan (ND) and Habelito Hernandez followed with a single. After a strikeout for the second out of the inning, Eric Eymann lined a single to left field and Dayton was on the board, but trailing 7-1.

The Dragons added two more runs in the fifth. Mike DeJesus laid down a perfect bunt for a two out single, and advanced to second when Mike Griffin hit a single of his own. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third, and both would come around to score on a two-RBI single from Bruce. After five innings of baseball, it was 7-3 in favor of the Snappers.

It would stay that way until the seventh. Morlan seemingly forgot how to throw a strike, and walked Gerardo Cabrera, Josh Holden, and DeJesus on 12 straight out of the zone. In came Danny Vais (ND) in relief, and he induced a 6-4-3 double play from Griffin. On the twin killing, Carbrera scored the fourth Dragons run of the night. With two outs, it was Bruce again providing the dramatics with a double to score Holden, and cut into the Beloit lead at 7-5.

Dayton completed the comeback in the 8th. B.J. Szymanski homered off Vais to cut the Beloit lead to one. Craig Tatum doubled with one out, and later advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, a walk to Holden put runners at the corners. Closer Frank Mata (WP, 3-1) relieved Vais to face the left handed hitting DeJesus. DeJesus lined a double to right, scoring Tatum as the tying run. When the throw went into second, Holden attempted to score the go-ahead run, but was called out at the plate when catcher Caleb Moore held onto the baseball despite taking a big time hit from Holden. The putout on Holden went 9-6-2 to end the inning.

While the Dragons completed the comeback, the bullpen held the Snappers at bay. Logan Ondrusek (ND) pitched 2.0 shutout innings, and Robert Manuel tossed 4.0 scoreless frames as well. But in the 10th inning, the bullpen magic wore off. Bo Lanier (LP, 2-4) allowed a one out double to Lis, who then scored the winning run when Tintor connected for a two-out single. Dayton got a base runner in the bottom of the 10th, but a game ending double play sealed the victory for the Snappers.

The Dragons are back out on the road for a brief four game series with the Lansing Lugnuts from Oldsmobile Park. Game number one of the series on Tuesday will have a first pitch at 7:05 PM. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons pre game show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com. LHP Travis Wood (5-0, 3.38 ERA) will start for the Dragons while Lansing counters with RHP Kristian Bell (3-3, 4.17 ERA).

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Midwest League Stories from June 5, 2006


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