MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Loons Edge Dragons 2-1 in Series Opener

Published on June 6, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Midland, Mich.-Midwest League RBI leader Kyle Russell drilled a base hit to center field to drive in the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Great Lakes Loons edged the Dayton Dragons 2-1 in the opener of a four-game series. The Loons, who have won six of eight meetings with the Dragons this season, improved to 29-26 with the win. The Dragons fell to 22-33 and saw their three game winning streak come to an end.

Dayton took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Andrew Means doubled down the left field line and Kyle Day walked. The next two batters were retired, but Carlos Mendez drove in Means with a single up the middle to give the Dragons the lead.

Great Lakes tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by Nick Buss, his third homer of the year. It was the only run the Loons scored against Dragons starting pitcher Lance Janke, who tossed seven solid innings.

In the bottom of the eighth, Anthony Hatch doubled for Great Lakes with one out against Dragons reliever Aguido Gonzalez (0-3). Russell, who leads the league in home runs, runs batted in, and extra base hits, lined a single to center to bring in Hatch and break the 1-1 tie.

In the top of the ninth, Cody Puckett struck out but reached on a wild pitch to start the inning against Great Lakes' all-star closer, Javy Guerra. Puckett stole second and the tying run was in scoring position with no outs. But Guerra struck out the next three batters, Stephen Chapman, Mendez, and Byron Wiley, all swinging, to end the game. Guerra notched his 14th save and enjoyed a baseball rarity as he picked up four strikeouts in a single inning.

The Dragons finished with just five hits. No player had more than one.

The Dragons battle the Loons again Sunday at 3:05 p.m. at Dow Diamond. J.C. Sulbaran (2-0, 3.16) will start for the Dragons against JonMichael Redding (7-2, 5.27).

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Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2009


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