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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Kane County Spoils Series Opener with 5-4 Win

April 21, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Dragons (5-10) and Kane County Cougars (11-4) waited out Mother Nature on Friday night, as rain in the Miami Valley delayed the start of the first game of the four game series for one hour and three minutes. Once the game got underway, the Dragons jumped out to a 3-0 advantage and ran the lead to 4-1, before the Cougars battled back with two in the eighth and two in the ninth to pick up a 5-4 win in front of 8,634 at Fifth Third Field.

Dayton got to KC starter Jason Ray (ND) early with three consecutive doubles to open up the home half of the first. Mike Griffin blooped a two base hit into center field and was able to come home on an RBI double by Paul Janish for a 1-0 lead. The knock for Janish was his ninth consecutive game with at least one base hit. Jay Bruce extended his hitting streak to eight straight with a gap double to right center and the Dragons led 2-0. Three batters later Eric Eymann knocked in Bruce with an RBI single and Dayton led 3-0.

Kane County got on the board off Dayton starter Jeff Stevens (ND) in the top of the second on a tape measure homer from Jeff Baisley. The blast to left center leading off the inning cut the Dragons lead to two at 3-1.

The Dragons added a single tally in the bottom of the fourth inning off Ray on a RBI triple by J.D. Roberts. The hit scored Eymann, who led the inning off with a single and the lead was 4-1 Dayton. The Dragons loaded the bases against Ray with none down but could not manage another run as Brad Davis (ND) came out of the pen and retired three straight hitters to get out of a huge jam.

Dayton was cruising along at 4-1 getting solid bullpen work from Wayne Lundgren (ND) who replaced Stevens after his 4.0 innings in the starting role. Lundgren added 3.0 innings of shut out relief and the lead stood 4-1 heading into the top of the eighth inning.

The Cougars began the comeback in the eighth off Russell Haltiwanger (ND). Dayton committed two costly errors in the inning which aided the Kane County cause. With one down, Roberts dropped a pop up at first base allowing Anthony Recker to reach. Recker came home on Nick Blasi's RBI triple and the lead was cut to 4-2. After a walk to Justin Sellers put runners on the corners, Blasi scored on an errant pick off throw by Haltiwanger and the lead was trimmed to 4-3.

Kane County completed the comeback in the ninth with a pair of runs off Zac Stott (LP, 0-2). Steve Kleen and Jose Pirada opened the inning with

back-to-back singles. Jeff Bieker laid down a sac bunt to move the runners to second and third. Raul Padron plated the pair with a two RBI single to right and gave KC a 5-4 lead.

The difference in the game was the bullpen for Kane County. The Cougars used three pitchers to shut out the Dragons over the final 6.0 innings the trio worked. Brad Davis (ND) tossed 3.0 innings and Brad Kilby (WP, 1-0) blanked the Dragons for 2.0 innings to pick the win. Dan Fievy (SV, 2) tossed a one, two, three ninth to pick up the save.

The Dragons continue the four game series vs. the Kane County Cougars. The game will be televised on Time Warner Cable Channel 25 beginning at 7:00 PM with Mike Vander Wood and legendary Reds player and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall calling the action. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Magazine at 6:00 PM. Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com LHP Travis Wood gets the start for the Dragons, while the Cougars will counter with RHP Trey Shields.

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