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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Win, Set Up Pivotal Game on Friday

September 3, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons began a three-game series against the South Bend Silver Hawks on Wednesday knowing they probably would need to sweep the series to earn a playoff spot. On Friday night, they will get their chance.

Carlos Mendez collected three hits and drove in three runs on Thursday as the Dragons defeated South Bend 5-3 at Fifth Third Field. The win gave the Dragons a one-half game lead in the playoff wildcard chase with four games to play. Friday night's game will also determine the tie-breaker should the two clubs finish with identical records.

The Dragons "magic number" is now four, meaning any combination of Dragons wins and South Bend losses totaling four would give the Dragons a playoff berth. If they win on Friday, they will cut the magic number to one entering a three-game set at Great Lakes that will close out the regular season.

South Bend took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second against Dragons starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran, but the Dragons came back to tie the game with a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning. Alex Oliveras grounded a single into right field and went to third on Josh Fellhauer's single to right-center. Carlos Mendez followed by drilling a ball into the gap in right-center to score both runners and tie the game.

Dayton took the lead for the first time in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Kevin Coddington, his second in the last two nights and second of the year. South Bend tied the game in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Jake Elmore to make it 3-3.

Dayton regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Alex Oliveras doubled to right, went to third on Josh Fellhauer's ground out, and scored on Mendez's single to left to make it 4-3.

Dayton added one more run in the bottom of the eighth when Cody Puckett walked, went to second on a sacrifice by Coddington, and scored on a pinch hit single by Byron Wiley to make it 5-3.

Sulbaran (5-5) went the first six innings for the Dragons to earn the win, allowing five hits and three earned runs with two walks and five strikeouts.

Mike Bohana pitched two scoreless innings to earn the save.

The Dragons and South Bend meet Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field. This will be the final regular season home game for the Dragons. Chase Ware (1-1, 4.43) will start for Dayton against South Bend's Eric Smith (0-0, 2.61).

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Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2009


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