MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Jump Out in Front Early, Pick up Ninth Straight

Published on April 18, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The one thing you can say about the Dayton Dragons (9-0) is that the 2007 team doesn't procrastinate. The Dragons have scored a Midwest League best 60 runs in 2007 and they have picked up 40 of those in the first four innings of the nine games the team has played. Wednesday night was no different against the Swing of the Quad Cities as Dayton picked up three in the first and one more in the second on route to a 5-2 win to remain professional baseball's only remaining undefeated team.

After a one, two, three top half of the first inning the Dragons went to work with lead off man Drew Stubbs reaching on a base on balls. Justin Turner followed with a single to left setting the table for Chris Valaika. Valaika extended his hitting streak to eight straight games with an RBI double to right center and the Dragons led 1-0. Two batters later, Denis Phipps plated both Turner and Valaika with a double to left center and the lead was 3-0.

Rafael Gonzalez (WP, 2-0) was steady through 6.0 innings of work holding the Swing to one run on five hits. The right hander gave up his lone run in the fourth on a one out walk, a wild pitch and later in the frame, a two out RBI single to Mark Shorey. In the series, Dragons pitching has held the Quad Cities one through four hitters to three hits in 33 at bats (.090). The Swing tally in the fourth ended a scoreless streak of 21.2 innings for Dayton pitchers at Fifth Third Field.

Logan Parker added his first RBI of the season in the seventh inning on a two out single, scoring Valaika who double to lead off the inning. Stubbs extended his team best hitting streak to nine games with a single in the second. The Dragons picked up 12 hits on the night, marking the seventh time in nine games the team has been in double digits in total hits.

Jose Rojas (SV, 2) got the final out of the night for his second save of the season, coming in with two on and two out after the Swing pulled to within 5-2 on a solo homer from Luke Gorsett.

Mike Schellinger (LP, 0-2) took the loss for Quad Cities, allowing four runs and six hits in his 4.0 innings of work.

Dayton and Quad Cities continue the four game series at Fifth Third Field Thursday night at 7 PM. LHP Travis Webb (1-0, 2.70 ERA) makes his first start of the season for the Dragons, while the Swing sends RHP Blake King (1-0, 2.61 ERA) to the mound for his second start of the season. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will broadcast the game live, beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 can also be heard on the internet via All In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from April 18, 2007


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