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Dayton Dragons

Hayes Gets out of Jams, Dragons Take 3-2 Win

August 3, 2011 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio-Drew Hayes pitched out of trouble in the eighth and ninth innings as the Dayton Dragons held on for a 3-2 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Wednesday night. The win snapped the Dragons five-game losing streak and increased their lead in the playoff race to four games in the Eastern Division of the Midwest League.

Hayes entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning with Dayton leading 3-2 and struck out Dixon Machado to end the threat. In the ninth, he issued a lead-off walk to Jeff Rowland, who advanced to second on a sacrifice. Hayes walked Luis Castillo to put runners at first and second with one out, but he struck out Hernan Perez and James Robbins to end the game.

The Dragons took the lead in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run to left field by Juan Duran, his 11th homer of the year. West Michigan tied the game in the fourth, loading the bases with no one out on a walk and two singles, before Machado grounded into a fielder's choice as the tying run scored.

Dayton regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. David Vidal singled to left with one out and scored from first on Drew Poulk's double to right to make it 2-1. In the fifth, Ronald Torreyes singled in Theo Bowe from second base with two outs to make it 3-1.

West Michigan scored a single run in the top of the eighth when Dragons center fielder Jefry Sierra lost a fly ball in the twilight sky with a runner at second. The next batter, Nick Castellanos, singled to center, and Sierra threw out Ryan Hamme at the plate as Hamme tried to score from second, preventing the tying run from coming in. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Hayes entered the game and got the final four outs for his 17th save.

Dragons starting pitcher Mitch Clarke (2-1) earned the win, going five and one-third innings, allowing five hits and one run with three walks and five strikeouts.

The Dragons finished with nine hits. Vidal went 2 for 4 to raise his batting average to .298.

The Dragons host the Whitecaps on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field. Stalin Gerson (3-1, 3.48) will start for Dayton. Thursday and Friday's games will be televised on WHIO Digital Channel 7.2 (Time Warner Cable Channels 23 and 372). Former Reds first baseman Todd Benzinger will provide color commentary on Thursday.

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