MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Win, Clinch Playoff Berth

Published on August 28, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Lansing, Mich.-The Dayton Dragons are playoff bound. Enerio Del Rosario fired a five-hit complete game shutout and struck out 10 batters as the Dragons defeated the Lansing Lugnuts 2-0 on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Fort Wayne Wizards were manhandled by South Bend 17-6, putting the Dragons five games ahead of the Wizards with four to play in the wildcard race to qualify the Dragons for the post-season.

This marks the fifth time in the Dragons nine year history that they have qualified for the playoffs. The club reached the post-season in its first three years, 2000, 2001, and 2002, then again in 2007. This is the first time the Dragons have been a second half qualifier since 2002. The Dragons have also posted their highest victory total in the second half of a season since 2002 as they improved to 37-29 in the second half.

Del Rosario became the first Dragons pitcher to go beyond seven innings as he threw 94 pitches while allowing only one runner past first base. He walked no one and established a Dragons' team 2008 high with 10 strikeouts.

The game lasted just one hour and 59 minutes.

The Dragons scored the only run they would need in the top of the first inning. Jake Kahaulelio walked to start the game and went to second on Zack Cozart's infield single. One batter later, Brandon Waring singled to center to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead.

Brandon Menchaca drilled a lead-off home run in the seventh, his fifth homer of the year, to give Dayton a 2-0 lead.

Del Rosario allowed a lead-off double in the bottom of the seventh but struck out the next three batters and then closed out the game by retiring the side in order in both the eighth and ninth innings. It was the first complete game performance of the season for a Dragons pitcher.

Playoff tickets are available by calling the Dragons box office at (937) 228-2287. The Dragons will open a best-of-three series at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. against Lansing, which won the Eastern Division first half title.

The Dragons return home to Fifth Third Field to open the final series of the regular season on Friday at 7:00 p.m. against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Curtis Partch (5-10, 4.82) will start for the Dragons.

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