MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Improve To 4-0 With 8-6 Win At Bowling Green

April 11, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Bowling Green, Kentucky-The Dayton Dragons scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a 6-6 tie and defeat the Bowling Green Hot Rods 8-6 on Sunday night. The win gave the Dragons a 4-0 record in Midwest League play. They are one of two undefeated teams in the 16-team circuit. The Dragons are unbeaten through four games for only the second time in franchise history.

The Dragons built a 6-0 lead over the first two innings, only to see Bowling Green battle back and eventually tie the game in the sixth at 6-6.

The winning rally in the ninth began when Dayton's DiDi Gregorius lined a single to right. With one out, Andrew Means singled down the left field line to move Gregorius to third. Byron Wiley walked to load the bases. With Chris Richburg at the plate, Bowling Green catcher Mark Thomas was guilty of catcher's interference when his mitt contacted the bat of Richburg on swing that resulted in foul ball. The mistake by Thomas forced in the tie-breaking run and gave Dayton a 7-6 lead. Kevin Coddington grounded out to third as Means scored to make it 8-6.

For the second straight night, Dayton closer Donnie Joseph came on to earn the save. He worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to pick up his second save of the year.

The Dragons wasted no time getting the offense in gear in the first inning. They collected four extra base hits and scored five runs in the top of the first to take a commanding lead. Gregorius started the game with a triple to center field. Henry Rodriguez lined a double down the left field line to bring in Gregorius. Means followed with a double to left to score Rodriguez and make it 2-0. One batter later, Means scored on a throwing error by Bowling Green pitcher Wilking Rodriguez. After a pair of wild pitches brought in another run, Frank Pfister belted a home run to left to make it 5-0.

In the second, Gregorius singled with one out and eventually scored on Means' hit to right to make it 6-0.

But Bowling Green battled back. They scored single runs in the second, fourth, and fifth against Dragons starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran to make it 6-3. Junior Martinez replaced Sulbaran in the sixth and allowed lead off home run to Thomas to make it 6-4. Martinez then issued back-to-back walks as the Hot Rods eventually scored three in the inning to tie the game.

Dragons reliever Nick Christiani retired all eight batters he faced to earn the win in his professional debut. He stuck out four before giving way to Joseph in the ninth.

Sulbaran worked five innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs with one walk and two strikeouts. Martinez was charged with three runs in one-third of an inning.

The Dragons collected 12 hits. Gregorius and Means each three-hit nights. Rodriguez added two doubles.

Dayton plays at Bowling Green again Monday at 7:35 p.m. in the second game of the series. Jacob Johnson will start for Dayton against Bowling Green's Kyle Lobstein.

Notes: The Lake County Captains defeated South Bend on Sunday to join the Dragons as the only undefeated teams in the Midwest League. Both teams are 4-0...Gregorius raised his batting average to .450 by going 3 for 5...Rodriguez and Means each have hit in all four Dragons games this season...The Dragons have hit one home run in each of their four games.

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Midwest League Stories from April 11, 2010


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