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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Late home run downs Dragons

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


Dayton, OH - One night after the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (20-38, 47-81) blew an early 5-0 lead, the Dayton Dragons (28-29, 63-64) saw a 4-0 lead after one inning gradually slip away as Wisconsin rallied for the 5-4 win in the series finale at Fifth Third Field. Johan Limonta homered in the fifth inning to tie it, and Adam Moore played long ball in the eighth to push Wisconsin out in front as they split the series with Dayton two games apiece.

The Dragons jumped all over Wisconsin starter Paul Fagan (WP, 5-13) for four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mike DeJesus drew a four-pitch walk to start the inning, and advanced to second on Mike Griffin's single to right. Jay Bruce followed with a double to right-center, scoring DeJesus and putting the Dragons up 1-0. For Bruce, it was his Midwest League-leading 42nd double of the season and put him just three shy of the Dragons franchise record of 45 by Stephen Smitherman in 2001. Adam Rosales then singled up the middle for two more runs and Dayton led 3-0. After Szymanski hit an infield single to third, the Dragons capped off the first inning scoring with a RBI single from Craig Tatum - the fifth Dragons hit in a row, and after one inning, Dayton led 4-0.

Wisconsin came back with three runs off Dragons starter Daniel Guerrero (ND) in the top of the third. Eddy Hernandez led off the inning with a double, and the next batter Stan Posluszny was walked. Jeff Flaig followed with a come backer to the mound; Guerrero elected to go to third for the force out instead of spinning around for the double play. One out was made, but there could have possibly been two. Ron Garth singled to load the bases, and Limonta drove in two runs with a single to right. Garth advanced to third on Limonta's hit, and scored on a Guerrero wild pitch to cut into the Dragons lead at 4-3.

Wisconsin tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the fifth inning on a solo home run from Limonta. The sixth home run of the season for Limonta was his third RBI of the game, and fifth of the series. Guerrero was finished after five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Wisconsin used the long ball to take the lead in the top of the eighth off Bo Lanier (LP, 3-10). Lanier had set down the first seven Timber Rattler hitters that he faced on the night, but Moore took him deep to right for the 5-4 lead. For Moore, it was his second home run of the series, and fifth of the season. Lanier pitched well on the night, allowing just the one hit in three innings, but unfortunately it provided the difference in the game.

After the rough first inning, Fagan settled down considerably. On the night, Fagan tossed 7.2 innings, allowing eight hits, and four runs with eight strikeouts and two walks. Brian Kappel (S, 6) got the final out of the eighth with a runner aboard, and tossed a scoreless ninth for the save.

Following off days on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Dragons open up a nine-game, eight-day road trip to Southwest Michigan and South Bend. The opening game of the final road trip of the season is scheduled for a 7:05 PM first pitch against the Devil Rays at C.O. Brown Stadium. LHP Travis Wood (9-4, 4.20 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Dragons on Thursday night, while the Devil Rays have not yet announced a starter. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will broadcast Thursday's game live, beginning with the pre game show at 6:30 PM.

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