MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Explode for 12 Runs on 15 Hits in Win

Published on June 3, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The saying goes "all good things come to an end." The Dayton Dragons (27-29) recent offensive slump definitely wasn't a good thing but it was put to rest in a big way on Saturday night against the Beloit Snappers (26-28) at Fifth Third Field. What began as a pitcher's duel turned into an offensive explosion for the Dragons as the Miami Valley's Team pounded out 15 hits, including eight for extra bases on route to a 12-1 win over the Snappers in front of a season high crowd of 8,928.

Early on it appeared as if the pitchers would rule the night. Dragons starter Zach Ward (WP, 4-0) was touched up for a first inning run as Beloit got out of the gate quickly with two of the clubs four hits in the opening frame. Josh Land led off the game with a base hit to center and was moved into scoring position on a SAC bunt by Tarrence Patterson. With one down Erik Lis, knocked in the first run of the game with an RBI single to right scoring Land and Beloit led 1-0.

Snappers starter Brian Duensing (LP, 2-3) was sharp early, allowing just three Dragons singles through the first four innings of the game. The tide turned in the fifth as Dayton erupted for seven runs on seven hits, knocking out the Beloit left hander after 4.2 innings. Gerardo Cabrera led off the inning with a double and moved up to third on a bloop two base hit to right by J.D. Reininger. Mike DeJesus tied the game at 1-1 with a SAC fly scoring Cabrera, which also moved Reininger to third. Mike Griffin's single to left scored Reininger to give Dayton a 2-1 lead. A ground out and a wild pitch moved Griffin to third and he would cross the plate on Jay Bruce's single to right center. B.J. Szymanski crushed a Duensing offering over the fence in center for his first homer since May 4th. The two run blast made it 5-1 Dayton. Craig Tatum closed out the scoring in the inning with a two run line drive homer to left for a 7-1 Dragons lead.

After the first inning, Ward was lights out. The right hander did not allow a Snapper to hit the ball out of the infield over his final five innings on the night. Ward picked up his fourth win of the season tossing 6.0 innings of three hit four strikeout baseball, surrendering the lone tally in the first inning.

The Dragons weren't done offensively, as the club continued the offensive barrage in the bottom of the sixth. Adam Hawes (ND), who took over for Duensing with two out in the fifth, was roughed up for five runs in the sixth as Dayton picked up three hits and were aided by three Hawes walks. A bases loaded walk to Bruce, forced in the eighth run of the night. With one down, Habelito Hernandez got in the act with a bases loaded, bases clearing triple to left center, scoring Griffin, Eric Eymann and Bruce to run the lead to 11-1. Cabrera picked up his second double of the night plating Hernandez for a 12-1 lead.

Russell Haltiwanger (ND) and Damian Ursin combined to blank Beloit the rest of the way as Halitwanger put up 2.0 innings of shutout baseball and Ursin added a scoreless ninth as the Dragons picked up their first double digit run producing night since a 10-4 win over Cedar Rapids on May 8th.

The Dragons continue the four game series with the Beloit Snappers at Fifth Third Field with a Sunday afternoon matinee. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons pre game show at 1:30 PM. The first pitch will follow the pre game show at 2:00 PM. Dayton will send RHP Johnny Cueto (5-1, 2.72 ERA) gets the starting nod for the Dragons while Beloit counters with LHP Ryan Mullins (1-2, 4.39 ERA). 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 3, 2006


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