MWL Dayton Dragons

Hernandez Delivers Big Hit to Key Dragons 10-8 Win

Published on July 9, 2021 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - Miguel Hernandez completed a 10-pitch at-bat with a two-run single with two outs in the eighth inning to lift the Dayton Dragons to a 10-8 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Thursday night. The win was the fourth straight for the Dragons as they jumped to 10 games above the .500 mark (33-23) for the first time this season.

The Dragons scored six runs in the first inning to take a 6-0 lead and led 7-3 after four innings before West Michigan battled back to eventually take the lead. The Whitecaps scored two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to tie the game at 7-7, then pushed across another run in the seventh to make it 8-7.

In the bottom of the eighth, Dayton's Francisco Urbaez led off with a double over the head of the left fielder, the fourth hit of the game for Urbaez. Urbaez went to third on Quin Cotton's ground out and Victor Ruiz walked. With two outs, Michael Siani walked to load the bases. Hernandez ran the count to 3-2, fouled off four pitches, and then knocked a hit through the middle to drive in Urbaez and Ruiz to give the Dragons a 9-8 lead. Mariel Bautista lined a hit to left to bring in Siani and make it 10-8. John Ghyzel worked a scoreless ninth inning for his third save.

The Dragons had eight hits in the first two innings and finished the night with 15. Urbaez was 4 for 5 to raise his batting average to .331. Hernandez, who was 2 for 23 in July entering the game, had two hits and three runs batted in. Bautista and Ruiz also had two hits. All nine Dayton starters had at least one hit.

The Dragons established a season high for most runs in the first inning with six. They had six hits in the inning and sent 10 batters to the plate. Bautista had a two-run triple for the big hit. Cotton and Ruiz each had an RBI single.

Reliever Braxton Roxby (2-1) was credited with the win. Starter Lyon Richardson went four and one-third innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Notes: The game was played in four hours, 12 minutes to break the Dragons franchise record for longest nine inning game over the team's 21 seasons...The Dragons are 17-9 over their last 26 games, and 11-4 over their last 15 home games.

The Race: The Dragons are two games ahead of Great Lakes in the East Division standings. Lake County is in third place, two and one-half games out of first. Both Great Lakes and Lake County lost on Thursday night.

Up Next: The Dragons (33-23) host West Michigan (25-30) in the fourth game of the series at Day Air Ballpark on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Eduardo Salazar (1-2, 3.38) will pitch for Dayton against Beau Brieske (4-2, 3.55).

On the Air: All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on 980 WONE AM Fox Sports. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.

For Dragons 2021 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287 or go to daytondragons.com.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 9, 2021


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