MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Gonzalez Claims Record with 18th Career Win

Published on August 22, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - Dayton Dragons starter Rafael Gonzalez already owned a couple of Dragons franchise records heading into Wednesday night, leading the team in career starts and home runs allowed. Wednesday night, the right hander from New York got the 18th victory in his career, surpassing the mark of 17 set by Juan Frias a couple of years ago. Dayton used the arm of Gonzalez to post the 6-2 victory over Wizards.

Gonzalez (WP, 13-5) and Wizards starter Aaron Breit (LP, 3-11) both entered their starts at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday night with sub .500 records since the all star break. Gonzalez, 3-4 with a 6.34 ERA and Breit 1-3 with a 6.37 ERA pitched much better than the second half numbers indicated as the ball game was scoreless heading to the top of the fourth inning.

With two outs in the Fort Wayne half of the fourth inning, Gonzalez issued a four pitch walk to Cedric Hunter. The Dayton starter fell behind Justin Baum and on a 3-1 pitch; Baum gapped a Gonzalez offering to the gap in left center field scoring Hunter all the way from first base giving the Wizards a 1-0 advantage.

The Dragons got Gonzalez off the hook for a potential loss with a big bottom half of inning number five. Carson Kainer hit his second homer of the season and his first at home to tie the game up at 1-1. Denis Phipps followed with a sharp single to left off Breit. Catcher's interference was called against Luis Martinez during the at bat of Eddy Rodriguez to put runners at first and second. Both runners moved up 90 feet on the second error of the inning by Martinez . With one down Billy Rojo singled to left scoring both runners to push the Dragons lead to 3-1. Breit was lifted in favor of Stevie Delabar, who walked Logan Parker to put runners at first and second. Dayton added to the lead on a Drew Stubbs hit and run single that scored Rojo from second for a 4-1 advantage.

Fort Wayne did not go quietly picking up a run off Dragons reliever Kevin Gunter (ND) in the top of the sixth. With two down, Baum double into the left field corner and came home on an RBI single by Javis Diaz to center field to make it a 4-2 contest. Dayton answered immediately in the bottom of the sixth with Rodriguez driving in Kainer on a RBI single to left to push the lead back to three at 5-2.

Dayton added an insurance run against Derek McDaid (ND) in the bottom of the eighth. Drew Stubbs singled, went to second on a single from Juan Francisco, and scored on a ground out from Jason Louwsma for the 6-2 lead. Misael DeJesus (ND) pitched a scoreless eighth, and Ramon Geronimo (ND) got the final three outs to close out the ballgame.

The Dragons wrap up the home stand with game four against the Fort Wayne Wizards Thursday night at 7:00 PM. The Dragons turn to RHP Anthony Gressick (4-7, 4.85 ERA) while the Wizards will be starting RHP Brandon Gomes (0-3, 4.37 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are streamed live on the internet via All In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 22, 2007


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