MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Lose but Hold Three Game Lead in Playoff Race

Published on August 14, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Midland, Mich.-Alfredo Silverio hit a home run and drove in three runs while three Great Lakes pitchers combined to allow just two base hits as the Loons defeated the Dayton Dragons 4-1 on Thursday.

Despite the loss, the Dragons maintained their three game lead on the Fort Wayne Wizards in the wildcard race. Fort Wayne lost to South Bend on Thursday night.

The Dragons took an early lead in the second inning. With one out, Devin Mesoraco doubled to the center field fence. The next batter, Denis Phipps, hit a roller toward third that was mishandled by Great Lakes' Eduardo Perez for an error as Mesoraco scored from second with the game's first run.

Great Lakes got on the board in the fifth when Silverio launched a lead-off home run off Dragons starting pitcher Juan Rafael (3-2). It was Silverio's eighth of the season and tied the game at 1-1.

In the sixth, Rafael walked the first two batters in the inning. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third, and Silverio followed with a two-run single to right to make it 3-1.

Great Lakes scored again in the seventh on a two-out RBI single by Andrew Lambo against Dragons reliever Derrick Conatser to make it 4-1.

Meanwhile, the Dragons could get nothing going against Loons' pitchers. Great Lakes starter Garrett White (3-2) worked the first five innings, allowing one hit and one unearned run with one walk and five strikeouts. Cal Stanke followed White to the mound and worked three and two-thirds innings, allowing only one hit, and Miguel Ramirez threw one pitch to get the final out and record his 19th save.

The Dragons did make things interesting in the ninth inning. Trailing by three runs, the first two batters were retired. But Mesoraco singled to center, collecting his second hit and the team's second hit of the night. Phipps walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Michael McKennon hit Ramirez's first pitch high in the air to right field but it was an easy play for Jovanny Rosario to end the game.

Rafael, the Dayton starting pitcher, suffered the loss. He worked six innings, allowing six hits and three runs with four walks and four strikeouts.

Mesoraco was 2 for 4 as he collected the only Dragons hits of the night.

The Dragons conclude their three-game series at Great Lakes on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Jeremy Horst (6-2, 2.52) will start for Dayton. The Dragons open a four game series at home on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. against Great Lakes. The game will be televised on Time Warner Digital Cable Channel 99. Sunday's game will also be televised (7:05 p.m.).

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Midwest League Stories from August 14, 2008


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