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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons continue to play spoiler, win 5-2

June 13, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - While it may not be possible for the Dayton Dragons to win the first-half Eastern Division crown, they are certainly making things tough for the teams at the top of the standings. After taking two games against Lansing last week to knock the Lugnuts out of first place, Dayton picked up their second win in a row with a 5-2 victory over division-leading West Michigan on Tuesday night in front of 8,256 fans at Fifth Third Field. The West Michigan loss combined with a Lansing victory drops the Whitecaps from first place with just a handful of games remaining in the first half.

Dayton jumped on the board first with two big home runs off Whitecaps starter Ramon Garcia (LP, 7-2) in the bottom of the second inning. B.J. Szymanski led off the inning by connecting for his 12th home run of the season to give the Dragons the 1-0 advantage. After a one out single by Bobby Mosby, a pitch up in the eyes of Chris Denove was turned on and taken out of the park for a home run. The first home run of the season for Denove gave the Dragons the 3-0 lead. Combined with Eric Eymann's home run at West Michigan on May 29th, three of the five home runs given up by Garcia this season have been to Dayton Dragons.

West Michigan would dent the plate for the first time in the top of the third. With Will Rhymes at first with two outs, Dayton starter Zach Ward (WP, 5-0) began to struggle with his control. Ward hit Matt Joyce with a pitch, then walked Cameron Maybin to load the bases. A bases loaded walk to Mike Hernandez on a close pitch forced in Rhymes for the first run of the game for the Whitecaps. Still with two down, Justin Justice chopped an infield single towards second, scoring Joyce, and cutting the Dragons lead down to 3-2. Ward got a ground ball off the bat of Dusty Ryan to end the inning with the bases still loaded.

Dayton came right back with a run of their own in the bottom of the third. Jay Bruce singled with one out, and advanced all the way to third when Garcia's pick off throw sailed wide. Szymanski hit a ground ball to short, and despite playing back, shortstop Mike Hollimon tried to cut down the run at home. A collision ensued, with Bruce winning the battle by knocking the ball loose from Ryan, scoring the fourth Dragons run of the game.

After the scoring in the third, the bats went quiet. Ward was in complete control as he went 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and striking out eight. Justin Mallett (ND) followed with 1.2 innings of shutout ball, striking out three. Blake Hendley (S, 13) recorded the last four outs of the game for his second save in as many nights.

Dayton added one more run in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Jake Baxter (ND) for good measure. The third Dragons home run of the night, this time by Gerardo Cabrera, put the lead at 5-2. Both of Cabrera's home runs have come against the Whitecaps this season.

After an off day on Wednesday, the Dragons will open their last series of the first half on Thursday at Fifth Third Field against the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays with a 7 p.m. first pitch. RHP Johnny Cueto (6-1, 3.00 ERA) will start for the Dragons, while the Devil Rays counter with RHP Matt Walker (0-0, 0.00 ERA). 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.

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Midwest League Stories from June 13, 2006


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