
For the First Time Since 2017, Dragons Win in Lansing
April 19, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - The Dayton Dragons (6-9) rallied from a pair of two-run deficits, defeating the Lansing Lugnuts (8-7), 9-4, on a blustery, chilly Friday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The Dragons snapped a 12-game losing streak in Lansing, picking up their first win in Michigan's state capital since September 4, 2017. Dayton had gone 0-11 at Cooley Law School Stadium in 2018.
The Lugnuts scored two runs in the first inning and one run apiece in the third and fourth, building leads of 2-0 and 4-2 - but the Dragons scored three runs in the fifth inning, taking a 5-4 lead on a Miguel Hernandez squeeze.
The Dragons added insurance with two-run rallies in the seventh and ninth innings, supplying the final cushion and ending Lansing's four-game winning streak.
Lugnuts starter Cobi Johnson (Loss, 0-1) allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks in four innings-plus, striking out two. He was followed to the mound by Joey Pulido, who gave up one hit in two scoreless innings and struck out two, and Fitz Stadler, who allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks in three innings, striking out two.
Dayton starter Jared Solomon did not fare all that much better, tossing four innings, and allowing six hits, four walks and four runs, striking out three.
The Dragons received strong relief, however, with Alexis Diaz (Win, 3-0), Eddy Demurias and Julio Pinto (Save, 1) combining to blank the Lugnuts the final five innings. In the bottom of the seventh, Demurias struck out Otto Lopez with runners at first and third to end a Lugnuts threat. And in the bottom of the eighth, with the bases loaded, Demurias retired Reggie Pruitt on a liner to short and Pinto set down Alejandro Kirk on a flyout to center to end the Lugnuts' last gasp.
In the loss, Lopez went 2-for-5 with two singles and an RBI; D.J. Neal finished 2-for-4 with a run scored; Jordan Groshans drilled an RBI double, drew a walk and scored a run; and Kirk drew three walks and scored two runs.
The Lugnuts and Dragons play the rubber match of the three-game series at 1:05 p.m. Saturday, with gates opening at 11 a.m. for a noon Easter Egg Helicopter Drop! Lansing right-hander Josh Winckowski (2.08 ERA) starts against Dayton left-hander Jacob Heatherly (5.19).
To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life at Cooley Law School Stadium, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
Midwest League Stories from April 19, 2019
- Burlington Wins Second Game of Series, 4-3 - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Throw 10th No-Hitter in Franchise History - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs Walk in Go-Ahead Run, Lose Again 4-3 - Peoria Chiefs
- LumberKings Hold On for Third Straight Win - Clinton LumberKings
- TinCaps Ride Sterling Pitching to Win Doubleheader Nightcap - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Seven-Run Inning Lifts Hot Rods to Third Straight Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Wisconsin Drops Another Close One at Clinton - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cabbage, Williams Go Back to Back in Victory - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Kane County Tosses Combined No-Hitter in 1-0 Loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Snappers come up short in Cedar Rapids - Beloit Sky Carp
- For the First Time Since 2017, Dragons Win in Lansing - Lansing Lugnuts
- Wild 5th Inning Sinks Loons - Great Lakes Loons
- Martinez, Manzanero Lead Dragons to 9-4 Win in Lansing - Dayton Dragons
- Tyler Palm activated from 7-day Injured List - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- TinCaps Game Notes: April 19 vs. West Michigan (Games 15 & 16) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Friday's Captains vs. Cubs Game Postponed - Lake County Captains
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Homestand Highlights: April 22-28 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Hollywood Movie and Television Star Danny Trejo to Appear at Four Winds Field - South Bend Cubs
- Dragons Notes for Friday - Dayton Dragons
- Benson Blasts into History with Four-Homer Game - Lake County Captains
- Bees Walk-Off 4-3 over Chiefs - Burlington Bees
- Betts Homers Twice, Johnson Is Clutch in 13-Inning Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Banfield Walks It Off for LumberKings Win - Clinton LumberKings
- Chiefs Take No-Hitter Into Eighth, Lose 4-3 - Peoria Chiefs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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