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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Hitters Enjoy Biggest Night of the Year in 13-7 Win

July 5, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Bowling Green, Ky. - The Dayton Dragons established season-highs in runs, hits, doubles, and extra base hits as they defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods 13-7 on Friday night. The two teams split the two games in Bowling Green after splitting two in Dayton.

The game was played in three hours, 31 minutes, making it the longest nine-inning game of the season for the Dragons. The two teams combined for 32 hits in the game.

The Dragons jumped out to a quick lead, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, only to see Bowling Green battled back to tie the game before the Dragons rebuilt their lead to a three-run margin in the fourth. Bowling Green continued to battle back and trailed 8-7 in the seventh when the potential tying run was tagged out at the plate to end the inning. The Dragons led 9-7 when Bowling Green loaded the bases in the eighth inning before Dragons reliever Connor Bennett came in to get the final out of the frame and hold the lead. The Dragons broke the game open with four runs in the top of the ninth to close out the scoring.

In the first, Pabel Manzanero blasted a two-out, two-run home run to get the scoring started. The homer was Manzanero's team-leading eighth of the year. Later in the same inning, Juan Martinez singled to drive in Brian Rey from second to make it 3-0.

Bowling Green scored two runs in the bottom of the first to make it 3-2, but the Dragons scored in the third to go ahead 4-2. Mariel Bautista singled, went to third on Manzanero's hit, and scored on Rey's sacrifice fly.

After Bowling Green tied the game with two runs in the third, the Dragons jumped back ahead with three in the fourth, keyed by a two-run double by Miles Gordon and Bautista's RBI single to make it 7-4. Bowling Green responded with single runs in the fifth and sixth to pull to within a run at 7-6.

The Dragons scored in the seventh when Bautista singled, went to third on Manzanero's double, and scored on Rey's second sacrifice fly of the night to make it 8-6. Bowling Green answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 8-7.

The Dragons took advantage of an error on a wild pick-off play in the top of the eighth to score again and go ahead 9-7. Reliever Matt Pidich, who had come in to get the Dragons out of a jam in the seventh, retired the first two batters in the bottom of the eighth before allowing two singles and a walk to load the bases. Bennett entered the game and got a routine fly out to right field to end the threat.

The Dragons scored four in the top of the ninth, keyed by a two-run double by Bren Spillane, an RBI double by Morgan Lofstrom, and a run-scoring single by Randy Ventura to make it 13-7 and close out the scoring.

The Dragons collected a season-high 18 hits, five more than their previous high. Manzanero had four hits including a home run. Bautista and Lofstrom each had three hits. Rey and Spillane each had two. All nine Dragons starters had at least one hit, and eight of the nine Bowling Green starters had hits in the game. The Dragons had season highs with seven doubles, eight extra base hits, and 13 runs. They scored in six different innings.

Dragons starting pitcher Jhon De Jesus (2-7) worked the first five innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits with no walks and four strikeouts to earn the win. Bennett got the final four outs to earn his league-leading 12th save.

Up Next: The Dragons (6-9, 34-51) return home to open a nine-game, 10-day home stand on Saturday night against the South Bend Cubs (8-7, 45-38) at 7:08 p.m. at Fifth Third Field. Lyon Richardson (2-5, 4.71) will start for the Dragons against South Bend's Cam Sanders (3-4, 3.69). Saturday and Sunday's games against South Bend will be televised on Dayton's CW (channel 26; Spectrum cable channels 13 and 1013).

On the Air: All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on Fox Sports 980 WONE AM. 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. All Saturday and Sunday home games are televised on Dayton's CW.

For Dragons 2019 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287.

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Midwest League Stories from July 5, 2019


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