MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Hold On to Win in Game Interrupted by Brawl

Published on July 24, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio-Brandon Waring collected three hits and drove in a run and Juan Rafael earned his first victory as the Dayton Dragons defeated the Peoria Chiefs 6-5 on Thursday in a game interrupted by a first inning fight between the two clubs that led to 17 ejections that were later reversed.

The Dragons built a 5-0 lead by scoring four runs in the first inning and one more in the second. The lead held until Peoria scored three runs in the seventh and then added one more in the eighth to make it a 5-4 game.

The Dragons added an important insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Denis Phipps lined a single to right, went to third on Devin Mesoraco's single to right, and scored on Angel Cabrera's fielder's choice to make it 6-4.

The Chiefs pulled back within a run on Jovan Rosa's two-out RBI double in the top of the ninth, but with the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second, Dragons reliever Derrick Conatser struck out Rebel Ridling to end the game.

The game was delayed by one hour and nine minutes in the first inning when a fight broke out between the teams. Peoria acting manager Carmelo Martinez walked out of the first base dugout toward Dragons manager Donnie Scott and the two became involved in a heated argument between home plate and third base. Both benches emptied and Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo fired the baseball at full speed into the Dragons dugout, leading to a melee that took several minutes to wind down.

After the umpires conferred, 15 players and both managers were ejected. Minutes later, the ejections were reversed after conversation with Midwest League President George Spelius when both teams and their major league parent clubs expressed concern with having to place pitchers in the outfield to fill out their lineup. The ejections and any suspensions will be administered at a later date.

The Dragons are 13-2 over their last 15 games. They are 20-13 in the second half.

The Dragons have won their last nine games at Fifth Third Field.

The Dragons host the Chiefs again on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field as they try for a sweep of the series. Matt Klinker (6-4, 3.40) will start for Dayton.

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Midwest League Stories from July 24, 2008


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