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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Fort Wayne Shocks Dayton with Five in the Eighth to win 5-4

April 15, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, IN - The Dayton Dragons (2-8) looked to snap a three game losing streak with a get away day win over the Fort Wayne Wizards (6-3) at Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Dragons used the long ball at the plate and the outstanding starting effort of Johnny Cueto (ND) to take a 4-0 lead to the bottom of the eighth inning, only to see Fort Wayne pick up five in the bottom of the eight to shock Dayton 5-4 in front of 1,912 fans.

The Dragons had opportunities early on against Wizards starter Fabian Jiminez (ND). In each of the first two innings, Dayton picked up extra base hits and had runners in scoring position with less than two outs. In each inning, Jiminez got out of the inning unscathed. Cueto was lights out early on, setting down the first seven Wizards he faced, before a one out double by Brandon Gottier in the third.

Jiminez was lifted after 5.0 innings of shutout baseball vs. the Dragons. Kyle Pawelczyk (ND) came on for the sixth inning and promptly walked Jay Bruce, the first batter he faced. After a strikeout for the first out of the inning, the Dragons got on the board on a massive two run homer to left center from B.J. Szymanski. The third HR of the season for Szymanski gave Dayton a 2-0 advantage. Following another Pawelczyk strikeout, Bobby Mosby added to the lead with his first HR of the year, a solo shot to left that extended the lead to 3-0.

Cueto was outstanding in his second start of the season, allowing only two base runners in his 6.0 innings of work. Brandon Gottier doubled with one out in the third, for the only hit against Cueto and Kyle Blanks reached on an error in the sixth. Cueto struck out a season high eight Wizards hitters, allowing just the one hit and did not walk a hitter all afternoon.

Dayton added what looked like an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning on a lead off double from Jay Bruce. During the at bat to Craig Tatum, Bruce stole third base and came home on a throwing error by FW catcher Gottier for a 4-0 Dragons lead.

Fort Wayne looked sunk with two down and no one on base trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning and Dragons closer Zac Stott (LP, 0-1) on the mound. Stott surrendered a sun aided base hit that Mike Griffin lost in the high Fort Wayne sky. Ray Chang drew a walk and the Wizards still had life. Josh Alley and Seth Johnston picked up back-to-back RBI singles and the lead was cut to 4-2. Mike Baxter stepped in and delivered a two RBI gap triple to right center that tied the game at 4-4. Fort Wayne grabbed a 5-4 lead on a ground ball off the bat of Daryl Jones that got under the glove of third baseman J.D. Reininger for an error allowing the go ahead run to score.

Alfredo Fernandez (WP, 1-0) went from no decision to winning pitcher thanks to the five run comeback. Neil Jamison (SV, 3) struck out the side in the top of the ninth working around a two out walk to save the game for the Wizards.

The Dragons return to action on Monday, opening a four game series in Davenport, Iowa vs. the Swing of the Quad Cities. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the pre game show at 7:00 PM. Monday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:30 PM from John O'Donnell Stadium. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com LHP Travis Wood (1-0, 3.12 ERA) gets the start for the Dragons, while the Swing will counter with RHP Cory Meacham (1-1, 7.20 ERA).

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Midwest League Stories from April 15, 2006


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