MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons Win Sixth Straight, Increase Lead to 3 Games

Published on July 6, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, Ind.-Back-to-back home runs by Ronald Torreyes and Dominic D'Anna keyed a five-run seventh inning as the Dayton Dragons battled back from a three-run deficit to defeat the Fort Wayne TinCaps 8-5 on Wednesday night. The win was the Dragons sixth in a row and improved their second half record to 10-3 as they increased their lead to three games in the Midwest League's Eastern Division.

Dayton trailed 4-1 after four innings and looked up at a 5-3 deficit as they came to bat in the seventh. Torreyes belted a one-out home run to left, his first of the year, to make it 5-4. D'Anna followed with a homer to right, his fifth of the season, to tie the game.

With two outs in the seventh, Donald Lutz walked and went to second on Tucker Barnhart's single off the glove of the shortstop. Jaren Matthews followed with a hard ground ball along the first base line that reached the right field corner, bringing in Lutz and Barnhart to break the tie and give Dayton a 7-5 lead. Matthews then scored on Jefry Sierra's infield single to close out the scoring.

Dragons reliever Daniel Wolford (4-1) worked one and two-thirds scoreless innings for the victory. Drew Hayes recorded the final five outs for his 13th save. Hayes and left-hander Blaine Howell have combined to go 21 for 21 in save opportunities this season.

Fort Wayne broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the fourth inning against Dragons starting pitcher Josh Smith, getting an RBI double by Tyler Stubblefield followed by a triple by former University of Dayton star Cole Tyrell.

Trailing 4-1, Dayton started back in the fifth when David Vidal tripled with two outs to drive in D'Anna from first to make it 4-2. Then in the sixth, Barnhart doubled and eventually scored on Sierra's ground out to make it 4-3. Fort Wayne scored in the bottom of the sixth on an solo home run by Tyrell off Dragons reliever Ezequiel Infante.

Smith worked five innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs with two walks and seven strikeouts. He was not involved in the decision.

The Dragons collected 12 hits. Torreyes, Barnhart, and Matthews each had two. D'Anna had three walks in addition to his home run.

The Dragons (10-3, 45-38) will play at Fort Wayne against the TinCaps (4-9, 34-48) on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of a three-game series. Daniel Corcino (8-3, 2.57) will start for Dayton.

The next home game at Fifth Third Field is Saturday, July 9 when the Dragons host South Bend at 7:00 p.m. On that night, the Dragons will have the opportunity to break the all-time record for consecutive sell-outs. The Dragons tied the record held by the Portland Trail Blazers on July 2 when they enjoyed their 814th straight sell-out.

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Midwest League Stories from July 6, 2011


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