MWL Dayton Dragons

Fort Wayne Edges Dragons 2-1 in Road Trip Finale on Sunday

Published on June 18, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, Ind. - Three Fort Wayne pitchers combined to scatter six hits as the TinCaps edged the Dayton Dragons 2-1 on Sunday afternoon. The two clubs split the six-game series in Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne broke a 1-1 tie with one run in the bottom of the sixth inning and held off the Dayton comeback effort over the last three innings.

Dragons starting pitcher Jose Acuña was effective over his five-inning stint, allowing only one run as Fort Wayne jumped ahead in the fourth inning. Acuña lowered his full-season earned run average to 2.45, second best in the Midwest League, trailing only his Dragons teammate, Julian Aguiar.

The Dragons scored in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game. With one out, Jack Rogers bounced a ground rule double over the fence in left-center field and then scored from second on Tyler Callihan's two-out single to make it 1-1.

Fort Wayne responded in the bottom of the sixth with a run to take the lead. Juan Zabala delivered a sacrifice fly to right to break the tie. The Dragons nearly tied the game in the seventh when Mat Nelson doubled down the third base line and Yan Contreras delivered a two-out single to left. But as Nelson tried to score from second, Fort Wayne left fielder Justin Farmer made a perfect throw to the plate to get Nelson on a close play and maintain the lead for Fort Wayne.

The Dragons had a chance in the eighth inning when Rogers was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a one-out walk to Edwin Arroyo. But Callihan grounded into a fielder's choice and Austin Hendrick popped out to third to end the threat. The Dragons were retired in order in the ninth.

Nelson was 2 for 4 with a double to lead the Dragons offensively. Arroyo had a triple. Both Rogers and Callihan extended hitting streaks to nine straight games.

Despite the loss, Dayton is 15-8 over its last 23 games and 25-18 since April 30. There are three games to go in the first half season. The Dragons will need two victories to finish with a winning record.

Up Next: The Dragons (32-31) do not play on Monday. They will return home to open a six-game series on Tuesday, June 20 at 7:05 p.m. against the Lake County Captains (28-33) at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Hunter Parks (2-3, 3.43) is scheduled to start for Dayton. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.

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Midwest League Stories from June 18, 2023


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