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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons meltdown in late innings 4-2

July 20, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Comstock Park, MI - The Dayton Dragons (13-13, 48-48) spotted the West Michigan Whitecaps (20-7, 61-33) two mid-game runs, came back with a pair in the seventh inning only to lose by a pair of runs as the Whitecaps scored two in the eighth inning off the Dragons bullpen. West Michigan took the series opening game over the Dragons by a 4-2 count in front of 7,544 at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Michigan.

Zach Ward (ND) got the starting nod for the Dragons in the opening game of the series and took a shutout into the bottom half of the fifth inning. West Michigan picked up the first run of the night on an RBI fielder's choice by Will Rhymes. Dusty Ryan and Mark Haske picked up back-to-back single to open the inning. With one down, Ward hit Rafael Mendez to load the bases and set up the RBI grounder by Rhymes.

The ‘Caps made it 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning picking up an unearned run off Ward as Cameron Maybin moved around the bases thanks in part to a pair of Dragons errors. Maybin reached on a throwing error by third baseman Bradley Key. Ward's errant pick off throw moved Maybin to second base with none down. A grounder to the right side got Maybin to third and a SAC fly by Mike Holliman got the runner home for a 2-0 Whitecap lead.

Dayton did not get much going against Burke Badenhop (ND) who gave the Dragons fits all night until running out of pitches in the seventh inning. Jay Bruce led off the inning with a bunt single for just the fourth hit given up by the Caps starter. With two down, Anthony Clagett (WP, 5-2) came in for Badenhop as his pitch count ran low. Clagett served up an RBI double to Craig Tatum and followed that up allowing an RBI single to Bobby Mosby that tied the game at 2-2.

The Dragons bullpen had trouble once again, as the Whitecaps pushed across the winning runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Russell Halitwanger (LP, 0-3) began his second inning of work in the eighth after pitching around a walk in the seventh. Haltiwanger walked Maybin to lead off the inning and a sac bunt by Matt Joyce moved him to second. After an intentional walk of Holliman, Haltiwanger was lifted in favor of Logan Ondrusek (ND). Dusty Ryan moved Maybin to third, bouncing into a fielder's choice forcing Holliman at second base for the second out of the inning. With two down, Ondrusek allowed back-to-back RBI singles to give the Caps a 4-2 lead.

Orlando Perdomo (SV, 21) was hardly "Mariano Rivera like" in the top of the ninth but did manage to pitch around a pair of singles and a hit batsman for the save.

Dayton continues the four game series at West Michigan on Friday night. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry all the action live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM; Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. RHP Carlos Fisher (8-4, 3.13 ERA) will make the start for Dayton, while the Whitecaps counter with LHP Luke French (6-4, 4.78 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 20, 2006


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