MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Guerrero Leads Dragons to 1-0 Series Lead

Published on September 5, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


South Bend, IN - The Dayton Dragons made the team's first Midwest League playoff appearance since the 2002 season, when they were swept in a first round match up with the West Michigan Whitecaps. The 2007 version of the playoffs opened at Coveleski Stadium against the South Bend Silver Hawks and the Dragons rode the right arm of Daniel Guerrero (WP, 1-0) to a 3-1 victory in game one.

Dayton survived a scare in the bottom of the first inning when a Joey Side line drive ricocheted off Guerrero's leg and into foul territory for a base hit. Guerrero remained in the game and was fantastic, shutting down the MWL's second best hitting team in the regular season, retiring 14 consecutive hitters at one stretch. The right hander tossed 8.0 innings, allowing just one run on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

The Dragons picked up their right hander with two in the bottom of the second inning off Silver Hawk starter Tony Barnette (LP, 0-1) for a 2-0 lead. Juan Francisco led off the inning with a single to center and moved to third base on a double down the line in left by Brandon Waring. With second and third and none out, Carson Kainer doubled to the gap in right center field scoring Francisco from third. Waring somehow got slowed down in between second and third base and as Kainer pulled into third, Waring was just moving off the bag towards the plate. Kainer was safe at third as Waring was out at the plate for the first out of the inning. Kainer, who ended up at third on the play, scored the second run of the inning on a Denis Phipps ground out.

The third inning would bring another Dragons tally across the plate as a two out rally against Barnette started with none on base. After retiring the first two hitters of the inning on two pitches, Logan Parker singled to right center to get the rally going. Todd Frazier was the next Dragon to come to the plate and he scored Parker all the way from first base with a double past the center fielder Tyler Jones to give Dayton a 3-0 lead.

South Bend finally plated a run in the bottom of the seventh, but could have gotten much more. Brad Miller singled to begin the inning and went to third on a double from Steve Mena. With second and third and nobody out, Guerrero settled down to get Clayton Conner on a shallow fly to right, a sacrifice fly from Richard Mercado, and a Yunesky Sanchez pop up to end the threat and keep the Dragons in front 3-1.

After three Dayton runs and five hits the second and third innings, Barnette settled down and only allowed one hit the rest of the way, finishing his night with 8.0 innings pitched and three runs allowed. A great outing from Barnette, but he had the tough luck of going against Guerrero's great performance.

After Guerrero called it a night, Marcos Mateo (SV, 1) was summoned to pitch the ninth. Mateo allowed a leadoff single to Daniel Perales, but then got Miller to line out and Mena to bounce into a double play to wrap up the first playoff game victory for the Dragons since 2001.

The Dragons and Silver Hawks will continue the best of three opening round series at Fifth Third Field on Thursday night, with the Dragons looking to move on to the Midwest Eastern Division Finals. Thursday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. 1410 ESPN Radio will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are also streamed live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com via All In Broadcasting. RHP Rafael Gonzalez (13-5, 3.53 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Dragons. The Silver Hawks are slated to throw LHP Jordan Norberto (6-7, 5.28 ERA).

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Midwest League Stories from September 5, 2007


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