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Hawks Lose Game and Lead

September 3, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


Dayton, OH - With a 5-3 loss to the Dayton Dragons on Thursday night, the South Bend Silver Hawks not only lost their second straight game, but also their lead for the second half wild card. Dayton is now one-half game in front of the Hawks in the standings, and the Dragons magic number to clinch is four.

After never leading last night, the Hawks made sure they got out in front Thursday, scoring twice in the top of the third. Dayton starter J.C. Sulbaran (WP, 5-5) allowed a leadoff single to Alberto Diaz, and then walked the next two batters to load the bases with nobody out. A.J. Pollock bounced into a double play, scoring one run, and Reynaldo Navarro had a big two out single to score the second. The hit for Navarro extended his hitting streak to a season high 10 games.

Dayton answered immediately in the bottom of the third against South Bend starter Randy Rodriguez (LP, 5-11), rallying with two outs to tie the game. Alex Oliveras and Josh Fellhauer each singled, and Carlos Mendez brought them both home with a triple to even the game at two apiece.

Dayton took the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by Kevin Coddington. It was only Coddington's second homer of the year, and his first came last night against South Bend.

The two teams traded single runs in the fifth inning, with South Bend scoring on a RBI single by Jake Elmore to tie the game at three, and Dayton getting a RBI single from Mendez to put the Dragons back in front by one at 4-3.

Dayton's bullpen was up to the task, with Hector Santana (ND) tossing a scoreless seventh, and Mike Bohana (SV, 2) recording the final six outs, stranding the tying run at the plate in the top of the ninth.

Dayton added an insurance run in the eighth inning against reliever Sean Morgan (ND). Morgan had pitched two scoreless innings, but then walked the leadoff batter of the eighth. A sacrifice bunt got Cody Puckett to second and pinch hitter Byron Wiley bought him home with a single against reliever Victor Capellan (ND) for the 5-3 lead entering the final inning.

The Silver Hawks and Dragons wrap up the series Friday night at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. South Bend will start RHP Eric Smith (0-0, 2.61 ERA) against Dayton RHP Chase Ware (1-1, 4.43 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 PM Eastern Time on 1620 ESPN Radio and online at www.silverhawks.com. Not only will tomorrow's game determine who is in the lead for the wild card, it will also be the deciding game for who wins the head-to-head tiebreaker should the two teams finish tied at the end of the second half on Monday afternoon.



Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2009


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