MWL Dayton Dragons

Dragons Fall to Wisconsin After Big First Inning for Rattlers

Published on August 8, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Appleton, Wisc. - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored six runs in the first inning and held off a Dayton comeback effort to defeat the Dragons 6-4 on Tuesday night. The game was the opener to a six-game series for the Dragons and the first of 12 straight road games.

The Dragons loss dropped them out of first place. They fell one game behind first place Fort Wayne in the Midwest League's East Division with 29 games to play.

Dragons starting pitcher Kevin Abel (0-1) had a tough outing and was not able to survive the first inning. He struck out the first batter of the inning but allowed the next seven to reach safely as Wisconsin generated six runs with five hits and two walks. Myles Gayman replaced Abel to get the final out of the inning.

Gayman and the Dayton relievers Andrew Moore and John Murphy combined for a spectacular relief performance, shutting out the Timber Rattlers over the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Dragons could their six-run deficit in half in the sixth inning when Jack Rogers blasted a three-run home run to make it 6-3. It was Rogers' 10th home run of the year and his fourth in his last nine games. Dayton's Cade Hunter led off the seventh with his third home run with the Dragons to make it 6-4. But the Dragons could not push across another run. They had the tying runs on base in the seventh and eighth but could not deliver the big hit.

The Dragons collected eight hits and eight walks but they stranded 13 runners, one short of their season high. Edwin Arroyo and Austin Hendrick each had two hits for Dayton.

Notes: Prior to the game, the Dragons announced that third baseman Austin Callahan had been promoted to Double-A Chattanooga, while third baseman Sal Stewart joined the Dragons from Single-A Daytona. Stewart was the Reds supplemental first round draft pick in 2022, selected with the 32nd pick of the draft. The Reds obtained the draft pick as compensation for losing free agent Nick Castellanos. Additionally, the Dragons placed outfielder Jay Allen II on the injured list with two broken fingers...Stewart started the game and reached base three times, going 1 for 3 with two walks.

Up Next: The Dragons (20-17, 53-50) meet the Timber Rattlers (19-18, 45-56) again on Wednesday night at 7:40 p.m. (EDT). Chris McElvain (1-1, 5.40) is scheduled to start for Dayton.

The next home game at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District is Tuesday, August 22 when the Dragons host the Lansing Lugnuts at 7:05 p.m. 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 August 8, 2023


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