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MWL Dayton Dragons

Loons Score 5 in 8th, Top Dragons 11-8 to Even Series

July 1, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Midland, Mich.-Great Lakes slugger Imanol Vargas belted an eighth inning grand slam home run as the Loons overcame a six-run deficit to defeat the Dayton Dragons 11-8 on Friday night. Vargas, who also hit a grand slam on Thursday against the Dragons, capped off a five-run inning for the lead. Dayton left the bases loaded in the ninth inning as the series drew even at two wins apiece.

The Dragons hit three home runs in the loss and have hit nine in four games in the series, but the Dayton bullpen had a tough night, allowing seven runs in four innings of work.

Dayton's Jose Torres became the first player in Dragons history to steal four bases in one game, stealing two in the second inning and two more in the fourth. No player in franchise history, including Billy Hamilton, whole stole 103 bases for the Dragons in 2011, had ever stolen four in a game before.

Game Recap: The Dragons jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, getting a two-run home run from Austin Hendrick and a two-run single by Tyler Callihan in the inning. The homer by Hendrick was his sixth with the Dragons and his 13th in the Reds organization this season.

In the third inning, Dayton's Ruben Ibarra cracked a high home run to left field that was estimated at 422 feet to extend the Dragons lead to 5-0. The homer was Ibarra's second with the Dragons and his ninth in the Reds system this season.

In the fourth, Torres reached on an error, stole second and third, and scored on another error to make it 6-0.

But Great Lakes scored four in the bottom of the fourth against Dayton starter Christian Roa to make it 6-4, and they scored again in the fifth against reliever Jake Gozzo to pull to within a run.

The Dragons got a run back in the sixth on Mat Nelson's fifth homer of the year to go ahead 7-5, but Great Lakes scored in the seventh to cut the Dayton lead to 7-6. Dayton scored in the top of the eighth when Hendrick doubled, stole third, and scored on Torres' sacrifice fly to make it 8-6.

Great Lakes scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth against Dayton reliever Manuel Cachutt to take an 11-8 lead. The Dragons loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth to put the tying run on base, but Nelson struck out swinging to end the game.

The Dragons finished with nine hits. Hendrick and Ibarra each had two. The Dragons also stole a season-high six bases including four by Torres.

Notes: The Dragons had not lost a game in which they held a six-run lead since April 17, 2017, when they led Lansing 7-1 after one inning before losing to the Lugnuts 13-9.

Up Next: The Dragons meet the Loons on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Evan Kravetz (4-1, 4.79) will start for Dayton against Emmet Sheehan (3-2, 6.00).

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. 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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