MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons get past Lansing

Published on August 20, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Lansing, Mich.-Theo Bowe's single to center field drove in David Vidal from second base with the tie-breaking run in the top of the 10th inning as the Dayton Dragons came from behind to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts 10-9 on Saturday. The Dragons cut their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to eight with the win.

The Dragons were down to their final strike in the ninth inning, trailing 9-8 with two outs, when Donald Lutz singled to right field to drive in Ronald Torreyes and tie the game. Lansing had a record of 48-0 on the season in games when they took a lead into the ninth inning but they could not hold off the Dragons, who won for the fourth straight night.

Dayton improved to 37-17 in the second half. They lead Fort Wayne by six games in the divisional race and lead Great Lakes by eight games in the playoff chase with 16 games to play.

Trailing 9-7 to start the ninth inning, Billy Hamilton reached on an infield single and went to second on an error with one out. Torreyes singled to right to drive in Hamilton to make it 9-8, and Torreyes stole second with two outs. Lutz fell behind in the count 0-2 but battled back to send a single into right field to drive in Torreyes and tie the game. It was the fourth hit of the night for Lutz.

Lansing loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Dragons reliever Blaine Howell, who had surrendered a grand slam home run to Marcus Knecht in the seventh, induced an inning-ending double play from Garis Pena to send the game to extra innings.

In the 10th inning, Tucker Barnhart singled to start the frame and was forced at second on Vidal's fielder's choice. Jefrey Sierra singled Vidal to second, and Bowe singled up the middle to bring in Vidal and give Dayton a 10-9 lead. Drew Hayes pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th for his league-leading 21st save.

The Dragons collected 15 hits. Lutz was 4 for 5 with three runs batted in. Sierra was 3 for 5. Kurtis Muller was 2 for 5 with three RBI. Torreyes was 2 for 6 with three RBI and two runs scored. Hamilton had only one hit but scored four runs, walked twice, and stole two bases to give him 84 on the year.

The Dragons continue the series in Lansing on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. (WONE 980 AM). Tanner Robles (5-8, 5.83) will start for Dayton against Lansing's Sean Nolin (2-3, 3.79). The next home game is Saturday, August 27 vs. West Michigan at Fifth Third Field.

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Midwest League Stories from August 20, 2011


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