MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Streak Stopped at Three

Published on May 16, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Dragons (20-19) and Fort Wayne Wizards (20-16) entered the opening game of a four game series on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field as the top two hitting teams in the Midwest League. The Dragons led the league entering play Tuesday with a .273 team average. Fort Wayne was second, on the Dragons heels at .268. The Wizards were able to generate more offense and got great starting pitching from Stevie Delabar (WP, 2-2) to knock off Dayton in game one of the series with a 5-3 win, snapping the Dragons winning streak at three.

Fort Wayne got on the board in the top half of the first inning off Dayton starter Carlos Fisher (LP, 4-3) producing a pair of runs with two outs in the frame. Nick Crosta belted a two run homer to right field to give the visitor's a 2-0 lead. Crosta's night would be a short one, as he was ejected by the home plate umpire in the fourth after arguing a called third strike.

All of the damage against Fisher on the night, in two separate innings, came with two outs. Crosta's shot in the first and then another pair of runs with two outs in the fourth. Mike Baxter and Seth Johnston came up with back-to-back RBI doubles, again with two down, to snap a 2-2 tie giving the Wizards a 4-2 advantage. With the exception of the two out rallies, Fisher was solid in 5.2 innings of work, giving up eight hits and four earned runs. The right hander struck out and walked one hitter.

On the other side of the ledger, Delabar was just a little better. Jay Bruce got the Dragons on the score board in the first with a two out RBI double that scored Mike DeJesus to cut the lead to 2-1. An error by first baseman Daryl Jones on a dropped pick off throw in the third with runners on the corners and two outs scored Mike Griffin to tie the game at 2-2.

The story of the game for the Dragons was the lack of production from the four through nine hitters in the line up, who combined to go zero for 22 with five strikeouts and a pair of walks. The Wizards, four through nine were more productive picking up four hits in 21 at bats driving in three runs and scoring three runs.

Gregory Burke (ND) 2.0 innings, Jon Link (ND) 1.0 innings and John Madden (SV, 3) 1.0 innings, combined to hold the Dragons to two hits and one run over the final 4.0 innings of the night. The Wizards pen stuck out five and walked one to close out the game. Bruce got Dayton to within two runs at 5-3 in the eighth with his eight homer of the season, a solo shot to left to lead off the inning.

The Dragons continue the four game series Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field against Fort Wayne, with a 7:00 PM first pitch. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons pre game show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com RHP Zach Ward (2-0, 4.03 ERA) gets the start for the Dragons, while the Wizards will counter with RHP Josh Geer (3-0, 3.34 ERA).

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Midwest League Stories from May 16, 2006


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