Dragons Erase 4-Run Deficit, Win 8-7 in MWL Game 1 Thursday
MWL Dayton Dragons

Dragons Erase 4-Run Deficit, Win 8-7 in MWL Game 1 Thursday

Published on April 2, 2026 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Lansing, Mich. - Dayton's Esmith Pineda blasted a tie-breaking two-run home run in the eighth inning and Alfredo Duno added two doubles with three runs batted in to lead the Dragons to a come-from-behind 8-7 victory in the first game of the 2026 season on Thursday night in Lansing, Michigan.

The Dragons battled back to win after trailing 6-2 after six innings. They collected seven doubles in the game, one more than they had in any game during the entire 2025 season.

Game Recap: The Dragons jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, scoring multiple runs in the first inning of a season for the first time since 2014. Carlos Sanchez lined a double to right field to start the rally with one out. After Alfredo Duno walked, Ryan McCrystal singled to left field to drive in Sanchez, and Alfredo Alcantara followed with another hit to left to bring in Duno and make it 2-0.

But Lansing started back in the third inning, scoring one run to make it 2-1. In the fourth, Rodney Green Jr. blasted a two-run home run as part of a three-run inning to push Lansing ahead, 4-2. The Lugnuts got a solo home run from Dylan Fien in the fifth to make it 5-2, and Green hit his second homer of the game in the sixth to give Lansing a 6-2 lead.

But the Dragons roared back. They loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, and Duno drilled a three-run double to the fence in left-center field. McCrystal followed with a hard single to center to drive in Duno from second base and tie the game at 6-6.

Dayton's Yerlin Confidan led off the eighth inning with a single to left field and Esmith Pineda followed with a home run to right to break the 6-6 tie and give the Dragons an 8-6 lead.

There was no further scoring until the bottom of the ninth inning. Dayton reliever Cody Adcock entered the game with a runner at first, no outs, and the tying run at the plate. After getting a strikeout, Adcock allowed a walk and a run-scoring single as Lansing cut the Dragons lead to 8-7 with one out. With the tying run at second and winning run at first, Adcock got his second strikeout of the inning, then got a fly out to center field to end the game and preserve the Dayton one-run win.

Dragons starting pitcher Beau Blanchard worked four and two-thirds innings, throwing 79 pitches. Blanchard allowed five runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Reliever Cole Schoenwetter worked three innings to pick up the win, allowing two hits and two runs with two walks and three strikeouts. Adcock earned his first save.

The Dragons finished the night with 13 hits. Five players, all hitting consecutively in the batting order (2 through 5) each had two hits, led by Duno (2 for 4, 2 doubles, 3 RBI), McCrystal (2 for 5, 2 RBI), and Sanchez (2 for 5, double, 2 runs). Alcantara and Confidan also had two hits.

Up Next: The Dragons (1-0) play at Lansing against the Lugnuts (0-1) again on Friday night at 6:05 pm. Nestor Lorant will be the Dayton starting pitcher. The series will conclude on Saturday at 1:05 pm as Reynardo Cruz starts for the Dragons.

The Dragons 26th annual home "Opening Night" game is Tuesday, April 7 at 7:05 pm against the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. For ticket information, go to 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.

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Midwest League Stories from April 2, 2026


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