MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons lose error filled game 5-4

Published on July 3, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Geneva, IL - The Dayton Dragons (6-6, 41-41) entered Monday's series opening game with the Kane County Cougars (7-5, 47-34) at Elfstrom Stadium with an all time record of 3-21 at the home of the Cougars. The Dragons seemed poised to get the series off on the right foot, taking a 4-3 lead into the bottom half of the eighth inning before imploding committing three errors in the final two innings, handing Kane County a run in both the eight and ninth without the benefit of a base hit. The two runs gave the Cougars a 5-4 series opening win in front of 9,381 at Elfstrom Stadium.

For the first time in five games on the team's current road trip, the Dragons got on the scoreboard first. Dayton picked up a single run in the top half of the second inning, scoring an unearned run off Kane County starter Joe Piekarz (ND). With one down, Eric Eymann reached on an error by Cougars third baseman Wes Long and advanced to second base on a swinging bunt up the third base line by Habelito Hernandez. With two down in the frame, Craig Tatum got the visitors on the board with an RBI singe to right field for a 1-0 lead.

Kane County came back in the bottom half of the second with three runs off Dayton starter Zach Ward (ND). Ward uncharacteristically walked the first two hitters he faced in the inning. Fortunately for Dayton the first free pass went to Jeff Baisley, who would advance from first to second on an errant Ward pick off throw. Baisley did not stop at second and tried for third and was easily thrown out by Hernandez for the first out of the inning. After the walk to Chad Boyd, Ward was taken yard by Cougars centerfielder Jose Pineda. A long homer just to the left of the batter's eye in dead center gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead. The lead grew to 3-1 when Raul Padron's ground ball to second base scored Toddric Johnson, who had reached on a bunt single, stole second and moved to third on an Adam Rosales error at shortstop.

Jay Bruce got the Dragons to within one run at 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning with a two out solo homer into the picnic deck in right center field. Bruce's 12th homer on the season ties him with B.J. Szymnanski for the Dayton team lead. Bruce wasn't done as he would tie the game up at 3-3 with his second RBI of the night in the top of the sixth. Adam Rosales, who hails from nearby Park Ridge, Illinois, got a loud ovation from about 40 members of his local fan club as he led off the sixth inning with a gap triple to right center. Bruce followed with a double down the line in right field to score Rosales and tie the game at 3-3. Szymanski followed with his second hit of the night, an RBI single to center that gave the Dragons a 4-3 lead.

While Piekarz was done after the sixth inning, Ward remained in the game and got the Dragons through the seventh. The right hander looked as if he was going to pick up his seventh win of the season but after he departed the Cougars were able to pick up an unearned run to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth. Ward allowed just three hits and three runs, two earned in the 7.0 innings he worked. The right hander struck out five and walked three on the night.

Bo Lanier (LP, 2-6) came on to replace Ward in the eighth inning and had a tough time throwing strikes. Lanier allowed an unearned run in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4-4. The inning featured a lead off walk, two errors on a sac bunt, a wild pitch and a suicide squeeze. The ninth for Lanier was even worse as he walked the first two hitters he faced, before intentionally walking a third hitter to load the bases. After Jose Rojas (ND) came in to replace Lanier, the Dragons moved the infield in to cut down the winning run at the plate. On a grounder to second hit by Toddric Johnson, Mike Griffin threw home to cut down the lead runner but threw errantly to Tatum, allowing the winning run to score from third.

Joe Newby (3-0) picked up the win as he replaced Randy Rapp (ND) who tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.

The Dragons continue the four game series at Kane County on Tuesday night. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry all the action from Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva, Illinois live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM; Tuesday night's first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. RHP Robert Manuel (0-1, 2.73 ERA) will make the start for Dayton, while the Cougars counter with RHP Trey Shields (6-8, 5.30 ERA). All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 3, 2006


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