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MWL Dayton Dragons

Loons Get Walk-Off Grand Slam to Beat Dragons, 11-8

July 3, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Midland, Mich.-Great Lakes' Aldrich De Jongh drilled a walk-off grand slam home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Loons came back from a 7-0 deficit to defeat the Dragons 11-8 on Sunday afternoon. Great Lakes scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth to win.

The Dragons won two of six games in the road series, losing two games that they had led by at least six runs early in the contest.

Game Recap: The Dragons took a lead in the top of the first inning with three runs, built the lead to 7-0 by the third inning, and took an 8-5 lead to the bottom of the ninth.

Facing Dragons closer Donovan Benoit, the Loons got two quick hits in the ninth inning before Jonny DeLuca doubled off the left field fence to drive in two runs and make it 8-7. After a walk and a single loaded the bases with one out, Benoit got a strikeout for the second out of the inning and was one out away from escaping with the save. But he fell behind De Jongh, and on a three-one pitch, De Jongh launched a home run to right-center field to end the game.

Great Lakes had erased a 6-0 deficit on Friday to defeat the Dragons, the first time Dayton had lost a game in which they led by six since 2017.

The Dragons jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning when Tyler Callihan tripled with one out, Mat Nelson was hit by a pitch, and Daniel Vellojin drilled a three-run home run to center field to make it 3-0.

In the second inning, the Dragons added three more runs. Jose Torres blasted a 413' home run to lead off the inning, his eighth homer of the year and his first since May 20. Ashton Creal walked with one out, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a double off the center field wall by Quin Cotton. Cotton eventually scored on Vellojin's ground out to make it 6-0. The Dragons scored on a wild pitch in the third to extend their lead to 7-0.

Great Lakes scored three in the third inning, one in the fourth, and one in the seventh to cut the Dayton lead to 7-5. Torres hit his second home run of the game in the top of the eighth to give Dayton an 8-5 lead that they took to the ninth.

Dragons reliever Vin Timpanelli was outstanding in the middle innings, entering the game in the fourth and retiring all eight batters he faced to allow the Dragons to hold the lead. Myles Gayman pitched well, allowing one run in two innings to also protect the lead. But Benoit, who had been outstanding in recent weeks and had allowed just one earned run in his last six appearances, suffered his first blown save of the year, allowing all six runs in the ninth inning.

The Dragons finished with eight hits. Torres was 3 for 4 with two home runs. Vellojin was 2 for 5 with a home run and four runs batted in.

Up Next: The Dragons return to Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District on Monday, July 4 to open a six-game series with the West Michigan Whitecaps. Monday's game will start at 7:05 p.m. Joe Boyle (3-1, 0.65) will start for Dayton. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.

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