Dragons Strike Early to Win 7-5
May 30, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release
Midland, MI - The Dayton Dragons came into Wednesday's ballgame knowing that West Michigan had already won, and needing a victory to remain 5.0 games up on the Whitecaps in the Eastern Division standings. The Miami Valley's team responded in a big way, scoring seven runs in the first four innings, and holding on to win 7-5 over the Great Lakes Loons in game two of the series.
After having the only two hits of the ballgame for the Dragons Tuesday night, Juan Francisco immediately picked up where he left off. Francisco picked up an RBI single in the first, and then hit a three run home run in the third. The blast for Francisco was his 11th of the season, putting him in first place in the Midwest League.
The Dragons also got a big night from Chris Valaika. After dropping out of the top ten in the Midwest League leaders for batting average for the first time since early April, Valaika picked up four singles in five at-bats, raising his average to .325. Valaika also picked up two runs batted in, bringing his total to 43 on the season.
Dayton got yet another strong pitching performance from Rafael Gonzalez (WP, 8-1). Gonzalez went 7.0 innings for the second consecutive outing, allowing seven hits and three runs, while striking out seven and walking one. Gonzalez did allow three home runs, but all were solo shots. Of the ten home runs Gonzalez has allowed this season, eight have been solo blasts.
The Dragons and Loons continue the four game set with game three Thursday at Dow Diamond with a 7:05 PM start. The Dragons will start LHP Travis Webb (3-3, 3.16 ERA) while the Loons will send RHP Arismendy Castillo (1-2, 6.27 ERA) to the mound. 1410 ESPN Radio will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are also carried live on the internet via All In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.
Midwest League Stories from May 30, 2007
- Kernels win wild one over Peoria, 12-7 - Peoria Chiefs
- Dragons Top Loons - Dayton Dragons
- Big Inning Does in Chiefs for Second Straight Night - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Parmelee Hits Game Winner in Ninth - Beloit Sky Carp
- Cougars Suffer Heartbreaking Loss - Kane County Cougars
- Dragons Strike Early to Win 7-5 - Dayton Dragons
- Swing Rally Past Lumberkings - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons Strike Early to Win 7-5 - Dayton Dragons
- Mertins Mashes in Bees Win over Wisconsin - Burlington Bees
- Cubs Pitcher Juan Mateo to Make Rehab Start Sunday with Chiefs - Peoria Chiefs
- Ryan Norwood Returns to Chiefs from Daytona - Peoria Chiefs
- Rattlers Fall Short Despite Four Homers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Whitecaps Comeback Beats Lansing - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Hold The Peanuts; Whitecaps Host Fifth Annual Peanut Free Game - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Bierd leads bullpen in Whitecaps win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Bees Say Good-Bye to Godin - Burlington Bees
- Kernels sock three homers in 9-3 win over Chiefs - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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