MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Jones Pinch Hit Double Makes Winners of Dragons

Published on August 2, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - Eight and a half innings of baseball had not solved a whole lot at Fifth Third Field on Thursday night as the Dayton Dragons and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were deadlocked at 1-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth. Keltavious Jones, just added to the Dragons roster from the Billings Mustangs delivered a pinch hit RBI double scoring Jason Louwsma from second base and the Dragons took three of four in the series with an exciting 2-1 walk off win.

Once again, runs were at a premium in the early innings as the starting pitchers found a way to work out of jams. For the Dragons, Jamie Arneson (ND) had runners on base in all five innings he pitched, but managed to escape allowing just one run. Ron Garth connected for a deep home run to left field in the fourth inning as the only run Wisconsin scored against the Dayton starter. In his 5.0 innings of work, Arneson gave up five hits and walked four,

Wisconsin starter Ricky Orta (ND) also found himself in trouble because of walks in the second inning. A single by Logan Parker to start the frame, and walks to Louwsma and Tony Esquer had the bases loaded. In between the runners reaching, Orta managed to strike out the side to leave the bases loaded. After getting Zack Cozart to end the second, Orta set down the next nine hitters in a row. In his 5.0 innings, Orta allowed just one hit, walked three, and struck out seven.

Dayton got on the board against the Timber Rattlers bullpen in the sixth innings. Drew Stubbs began the inning with a triple to left-center field against Mike Wagner (ND), his third of the season. One out later, Juan Francisco blooped a single over the drawn-in infield to score Stubbs and tie the game at 1-1.

Wisconsin had a big opportunity in the eighth inning. Terrell Young (ND) walked Gavin Dickey to begin the inning, and a stolen base plus a sacrifice put Dickey at third with one out. Ramon Geronimo (WP, 5-2) was summoned from the pen to keep the tying run at third. Geronimo passed the test with flying colors, striking out Kuo Hui Lo and Reed Eastley to end the threat.

The Dragons also threatened in the eighth against Steve Richard (LP, 4-3), albeit with two outs. Justin Turner had a two out double to put the go ahead run in scoring position, but Francisco bounced out to the first baseman to end the threat.

Richard pitched his way into a mess in the bottom half of the ninth inning by issuing back-to-back one out walks to Louwsma and Denis Phipps. Manager Donnie Scott called upon Jones to pinch hit following the second walk of the inning. Jones, called up from Billings in the Pioneer League to replace Chris Heisey who promoted to Sarasota in the Florida State League, came through in his Dragons debut. Jones battled and with two strikes fouled off consecutive pitches off Richard. The eighth pitch of the at bat was sent deep to right field over the head of Luery Bonilla, who crashed into the wall trying to make a spectacular over the shoulder catch. Louwsma scored from second with the game winning run on the Jones double as Dayton picked up the 2-1 win. After a tense few minutes on the field, Bonilla was able to walk off the field under his own power.

The Dragons continue the home stand by opening up a four game series against the Beloit Snappers Friday night with a 7:00 PM first pitch. Dayton hands the ball to RHP Daniel Guerrero (2-2. 3.92 ERA) while Beloit is scheduled to throw RHP Matthew Fox (5-1, 2.57 ERA). Friday's game will be televised on Dragons TV Time Warner Cable Channel 25 with Tom Browning and Steve Stewart joining Mike Vander Wood with the call of the action. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will also carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are streamed live on the internet via All In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.

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