Dragons Figure Out Whitecaps, Win 9-3
August 26, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release
Comstock Park, MI - After having ninth inning leads in each of the first two ballgames slip away, the Dragons made sure Sunday afternoon that they had a big enough lead heading into the ninth that the West Michigan Whitecaps would not rally for the victory. Dayton took a six run lead to the bottom of the ninth inning and held on for the 9-3 victory, snapping an eight game losing streak to the Whitecaps.
The Whitecaps used the home run ball to put three runs on the board against Dragons starter Daniel Guerrero (WP, 4-4). Jeramy Laster led off the bottom of the second inning with a home run down the left field line to put the Whitecaps up 1-0. After a single by Santo De Leon, first baseman Michael Bertram went over the fence down the right field line. The two run blast gave West Michigan an early 3-0 advantage. Those would be the only three runs Guerrero would allow through his 6.0 innings, striking out a season high nine batters in earning the victory.
As they have all series long, the Dragons immediately answered with a multi-run inning of their own. Eddy Rodriguez began the top of the third with a single to left off of Jeff Gerbe (LP, 2-2), and Zack Cozart followed with a single to right. A passed ball moved Rodriguez up to third, and he scored on a sacrifice fly to center from Justin Turner. One batter later, Cozart moved up to second on a wild pitch and then scored when Logan Parker gapped a double to right-center to cut the lead down to 3-2.
The Dragons took the lead in the top of the fifth inning, taking advantage of a West Michigan error to plate four runs, three of which were unearned. Rodriguez singled, and Cozart reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to put runners at first and second. After a groundout by Turner, Logan Parker hit a single to left, scoring Rodriguez to tie the game at 3-3. It was the fifth straight at-bat with a hit for Parker. With runners at the corners, Drew Stubbs hit a come-backer to the pitcher. Gerbe fielded it cleanly, but his throw home sailed over the catcher's head allowing Cozart to score the go-ahead run. Dayton added two more in the inning on a two RBI single from Carson Kainer to push the lead to 6-3.
Dayton added two more runs in the top of the seventh against reliever Zach Piccola (ND). Juan Francisco picked up an RBI single to score Turner, and Jason Louwsma added an RBI single bringing in Stubbs for the 8-3 lead at the seventh inning stretch. Kainer added an RBI single in the ninth and Kevin Gunter (SV, 2) shut the Whitecaps out for the final 3.0 innings to earn his second save of the year.
The Dragons and Whitecaps wrap up the four game set Monday evening at 7:00 PM from Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park , Michigan . The Dragons will have RHP Rafael Gonzalez (13-5, 3.45 ERA) on the mound while the Whitecaps will counter with LHP Charles Furbush (4-0, 1.30 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM . All Dragons games are also streamed live on the internet via All-In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from August 26, 2007
- Loons Rally Falls Short In Lansing - Great Lakes Loons
- Butler Does it to the Bees - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Pitch Another Shutout - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs Offense Silenced in 2-1 Loss to Beloit - Peoria Chiefs
- Butler Goes the Distance - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Swing Walk Off with Win in 11th - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Lugnuts Survive Late Rally - Lansing Lugnuts
- Offense Quieted after Early Homer, Caps Fall to Dragons - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Dragons Figure Out Whitecaps, Win 9-3 - Dayton Dragons
- Garrett White, Adolfo Gonzalez Promoted - Great Lakes Loons
- Kernels win 10th in a row; Herndon wins 12th - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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.
