MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Howard Hits Two HR's as Dragons Win in Cedar Rapids

Published on May 5, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Monday's series opener between the Dayton Dragons (15-16) and the Cedar Rapids Kernels (16-14) marked the 30th game in the career of Kevin Howard young professional career. Howard, who went his first 29 pro games with out a HR changed that with a pair of homers as the Dragons took the first game of the series 7-4.

Howard put the Dragons on the board in the top half of the first with a two run bomb to right center off Kernels starter Phil Wilson (ND). Junior Ruiz who led off the game with a base hit scored in front of Howard and the Dragons led 2-0.

The Kernels took the lead over Dayton at 3-2 with three different RBI double off Dragons starter Josh Thigpen (ND). Quan Crosby picked up the first in the bottom of the first inning that scored B.J. Weed and the Dayton lead was cut to 2-1. Justin Hancock tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth that scored Alex Dvorsky, who led the inning off with a triple. The Kernels took a short-lived 3-2 lead in the home half of the fifth on a RBI double from Caleb Maher that plated David Gates.

Howard's second HR of the night, a solo shot in the top of the sixth tied the game at 3-3. The Dragons took the lead for good with three in the eighth off Hayden Gliemmo (L, 1-1) Travis Wong delivered a two out, two RBI single that scored Joey Votto and Howard for a 5-3 lead. Mark Schramek added an RBI hit of his own and the Dragons led 6-3.

The teams traded runs in the bottom of the eighth and top of the ninth, as the Dragons kept the three run cushion. Joel Baretto (W, 2-2) was sharp in tossing 2.0 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win. Josh Daws (S 1) gave up an unearned run in the eighth but still picked up the save in his first appearance as a Dragon.

Dayton and Cedar Rapids play game two of the four game series Tuesday night at 7:30 PM. 1410 ESPN Radio will carry the game live with the pregame show beginning at 7 PM. LHP Jan Granado will get the start for the Dragons, while RHP Brett Cimorelli starts for the Kernels.

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Midwest League Stories from May 5, 2003


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