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MWL Dayton Dragons

Dragons Lose Doubleheader Despite Big Night from de la Cruz

July 9, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - Elly De La Cruz blasted home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game for the second time in three days, but the West Michigan Whitecaps overcame De La Cruz's power and swept a doubleheader from the Dayton Dragons on Saturday night. West Michigan won the first game 3-0 and took the second game 5-3 in eight innings of a scheduled seven-inning game.

A crowd of 8,575 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

Doubleheader Recap: In the first game, the Dragons and Whitecaps were scoreless until the sixth inning when West Michigan scored three runs and then held on for a 3-0 win. Dayton was held to just one hit in the game, a fourth inning single by Tyler Callihan.

In the second game, Dayton trailed 2-0 before De La Cruz belted a solo home run from the left side of the plate in the fourth inning. In the sixth, De La Cruz tied the game with a homer from the right side to make it 2-2.

The game went to extra innings, but West Michigan pulled ahead with three runs in the top of the eighth. The Dragons scored one run in the bottom of the eighth and De La Cruz came to the plate representing the tying run with two outs. After one pitch, West Michigan elected to give De La Cruz an intentional walk to bring the potential winning run to the plate, but Callihan popped out to second base to end the game.

De La Cruz became just the third player in Dragons history to reach 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season, joining Wily Mo Pena in 2001 and Jose Siri in 2017. De La Cruz has reached that milestone in just 71 games.

De La Cruz had homered from both sides of the plate on Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader. No Dayton player had connected on home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game since 2010, by Henry Rodriguez.

Dragons first game starting pitcher Evan Kravetz had a strong night, leaving the game with the score 0-0 with one out in the sixth inning and a man at second base. The runner eventually scored and the run was charged to Kravetz, pinning him with the loss.

The Dragons fell to 5-9 (44-36 overall) in the second half with the two losses, while West Michigan improved to 10-4 (41-39 overall).

Notes: Dragons pitchers did not issue a walk in the first game of the doubleheader, the first time this season that they completed a game without giving up a base on balls.

Up Next: The Dragons and West Michigan close out the six-game series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Joe Boyle (3-2, 1.72) will start for Dayton. For ticket information, go daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: Sunday's game will be televised in the Miami Valley on Dayton's CW (Channel 26; Spectrum Cable channels 13 and 1013). All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. 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.

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