MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Fall, 5-1

Published on May 7, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


The Dayton Dragons (16-17) failed to score in the first inning for the first time against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (17-15) and for the first time in the four game series fell to the Kernels, dropping a 5-1 decision.

The Kernels got on the board first in the home half of the third off Dragons starter Eddy Valdez (L, 3-1) with a single tally. David Gates led the inning off with a single and advanced to second base on a base hit from Matt Brown. Brown was forced at second base on a ground ball off the bat of B.J. Weed. With runner's on the corners and one down Quan Cosby placed a swinging bunt down the first base line that scored Gates from third and the Kernels led 1-0.

Cedar Rapids starter Jean Toledo (W, 3-2) was outstanding in what was his best start of the 2003 season. The right-hander tied the Dragons in knots all night, tossing 7.0 innings of shut out baseball, scattering five hits. When Dayton did get runners on base Toledo got tough. The Dragons loaded the bases in the top of the fourth with no one out and didn't hit the ball out of the infield. Dayton again threatened with first and third and one out in the seventh and left both runners stranded.

The Kernels added two more runs off Valdez in the sixth inning. Erick Aybar and Jared Abruzzo led the inning off with back to back doubles to put runners at second and third with none down. Valdez got the next two hitter's and went to 0-2 count on Jake Mathis, before the Kernels first baseman delivered a two RBI single to give Cedar Rapids the 3-0 lead.

The Dragons scored their lone run in the top of the seventh on a two out RBI single from Kevin Howard that scored Luis Bolivar who doubled with one out off reliever Dustin Griffith. Rich Thompson (S, 2) put an end to any comeback idea the Dragons may have had with 1.1 innings of four strike out pitching to earn the save.

Cedar Rapids added two runs off Jonathan Berry in the eighth inning, for 5-1 lead, on a run scoring double from Alberto Callaspo and the third RBI of the night from Mathis. After bouncing into a double play in the second inning, Mathis picked up three hits and three RBI in as many at bats the rest of the way.

The Dragons and Kernels wrap up the four game series Thursday afternoon at Veteran's Memorial Stadium, in Cedar Rapids, beginning at 1 PM. 1410 ESPN Radio will carry the game live with the pre game show beginning at 12:30 PM. LHP Camilo Vazquez (0-1, 8.04 ERA) will get the start for the Dragons, while RHP Kevin Jepsen (5-1, 1.99 ERA) starts for the Kernels.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 7, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central