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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Top Clinton 4-2, Will Try for Sweep Friday

June 4, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Clinton, Iowa-Avain Rachal's eighth inning single brought in Brian O'Grady from second base to break a 2-2 tie and the Dayton Dragons went on to defeat the Clinton Lumber Kings 4-2 on Thursday night. The win allowed the Dragons to remain one game behind Bowling Green, the East Division wildcard leader, and three games behind first place Lansing.

O'Grady doubled to deep right to start the eighth inning and scored on Rachal's single off the glove of the third baseman. Rachal went to second on the throw home, and then scored on Gavin LaValley's single down the right field to make it 4-2.

Dragons relievers retired the final six batters of the game after the Dragons picked up the lead. Scott Brattvet (1-2) earned the win, going an inning and one-third without allowing a base runner. Joe Mantoni pitched a perfect ninth, striking out the last two batters of the game for his first save.

Clinton scored in the second to take a 1-0 lead before the Dragons tied it in the fourth. LaValley doubled to left, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Jonathan Reynoso's ground out to tie the game at 1-1. The Dragons took a brief lead in the top of the seventh when Narciso Crook was hit by a pitch, went to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on Nick Benedetto's ground out, and scored on a ground ball to short by Ronald Bueno to make it 2-1. Clinton tied the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh.

Dragons starting pitcher Wyatt Strahan pitched well but was not involved in the decision. He worked five innings, allowing five hits and one run with two walks and three strikeouts.

The Dragons collected eight hits in the game. LaValley was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI as he extended his hitting streak to eight straight games. O'Grady had two doubles and scored a run.

The Dragons (29-25) will try for their first road series sweep since July 29-31, 2014 (at Lansing) when they battle the Lumber Kings (23-31) again on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) in the last game of the series. Clinton will try to snap a six-game losing streak.

Junior Morillo will make his first appearance of the season for the Dragons as Friday's starting pitcher. Lukas Schiraldi (4-3, 3.69) will start for Clinton. The Dragons next home game is Wednesday, June 10 when they host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Fifth Third Field.

All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on Fox Sports 980 WONE and on the internet at wone.com. Games are also available on the Dayton Dragons mobile app.

Notes: The Dragons lowered their team earned run average to 2.73 with the win. The club record, set in 2011, is 3.39.

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Midwest League Stories from June 4, 2015


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