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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Fall in 14 to Whitecaps, 1-0

September 1, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Dragons (32-35, 67-70) and West Michigan Whitecaps (45-22, 86-48) needed bonus baseball to determine a winner on Friday night. It took 14 innings before West Michigan finally pushed a run across the plate, and defeated the Dragons 1-0 in front of 8,144 fans at Fifth Third Field. The Dragons drop to 3-10 in extra inning games, and did not have a leadoff hitter reach base all night.

It was a pitcher's duel from the early going as neither team could muster much offense. Rafael Gonzalez (ND) had his best outing as a Dayton Dragon this season, allowing just one hit in 6.0 innings of baseball, with two walks and six strikeouts. The biggest threat against Gonzalez came in the third inning when Mark Haske led off with a walk, and advanced to third on a double from Rafael Mendez. With second and third and nobody out, Gonzalez struck out the next two hitters and got a fly out to end the threat.

Gonzalez was great for the Dragons, but so was Josh Kauten (ND) for West Michigan. Forced into a starting role after projected starter Luke French came down with a fever, Kauten went 5.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six.

From there, it was turned over to the bullpens. Derrik Lutz (ND) came in from the Dragons bullpen, and continued the trend of great pitching for the night. Lutz tossed 2.0 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two. The Whitecaps called upon Paul Hammond (ND) from their bullpen, and he shut out the Dragons for 3.0 innings, allowing three hits total, but just one per inning.

Dragons reliever Damian Ursin (ND) took over to face the Whitecaps in the ninth inning. With two out, Pedro Cotto singled to right, and Cameron Maybin drew a walk. Matt Joyce followed with a single to right, and West Michigan manager Matt Walbeck decided to wave the runner home from third. Right fielder Gerardo Cabrera fired a strike to catcher Craig Tatum, who applied the tag on Cotto to end the inning and preserve the scoreless tie.

Ricky Steik (ND) was the third pitcher of the night for the Whitecaps. Steik tossed a 1-2-3 ninth, and got the first two outs in the 10th without any problem. Eric Eymann came to the plate with two outs in the 10th, and blooped a double down the right field line. Eymann was able to advance to third when the throw from right fielder Joyce sailed over the shortstop's head as an error. With a runner at third and two outs, Gerardo Cabrera struck out looking to end the inning.

The Whitecaps finally dented the plate in the top of the 14th inning off of Sean Watson (LP. 1-2). Justin Justice led off the frame with a triple to right-center field, and came home to score on Pedro Cotto's sacrifice fly to make the score 1-0. That would be all the scoring, as Matt Rusch (WP, 9-3) kept the Dragons scoreless for the final two innings to earn the victory.

The Dragons and the Whitecaps continue the four game series Saturday night at Fifth Third Field with a 7 PM first pitch. RHP Luis Montano (0-0, 1.80 ERA) will get the starting nod for the Dragons while West Michigan counters with RHP Sendy Vasquez (12-6, 2.82 ERA). The game will be televised on Dragons TV, Time Warner Channel 25 with Reds legend Joe Nuxhall joining Mike Vander Wood in the broadcast booth. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will also broadcast Saturday's game live, beginning with the pre game show at 6:30 PM.

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