MWL Dayton Dragons

Lugnuts Edge Dragons with 9th Inning Rally, 4-3

Published on May 7, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Lansing, Mich. - Lansing's Alexander Campos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to force in a run and break a 3-3 tie as the Lugnuts came from behind to defeat the Dayton Dragons 4-3 on Sunday afternoon. The Dragons settled for four wins in the six-game series in Lansing.

The Dragons took a 3-1 lead to the bottom of the seventh inning before Lansing scored single runs in each of the final three innings against three different Dragons relievers to pull out the win.

Dayton's Tyler Callihan gave his team the lead in the sixth inning, blasting a two-run home run to right field to break a 1-1 tie. The home run was Callihan's third of the season and his second in the last three games.

Dayton starting pitcher Jose Acuna was exceptional, allowing just two base runners in his five innings of work. Acuna walked no one and struck out nine. He allowed two hits and one run on a solo homer by Lansing's Daniel Susac in the second inning.

The Dragons trailed 1-0 going to the sixth when they rallied for the lead. Austin Hendrick started the inning with a single to center field to extend his hitting streak to eight straight games. Hendrick stole second and scored on Ruben Ibarra's hit to right to tie the game, 1-1. Callihan followed with a home run to right to make it 3-1.

But Lansing scored one run in the seventh against Dragons reliever Manuel Cachutt to make it 3-2. In the bottom of the eighth, they scored again against Dayton's Jake Gozzo to tie the game. In the bottom of the ninth, Dayton reliever Donovan Benoit issued a four-pitch walk to start the inning before allowing a base hit to put runners at first and second. Benoit then hit a batter to load the bases with no one out, and then hit Campos with an 0-2 pitch to force in the winning run.

The Dragons finished with eight hits. Callihan and Ibarra each had two. Ibarra, who has hit four home runs in his 11 games with the Dragons, raised his batting average to .353.

Notes: The Dragons are 12-6 in games decided by more than one run, but 0-9 in one-run contests. Their bullpen has struggled to protect leads in close games, allowing a league-leading seven blown saves. The last seven Dragons losses have come by one run and the Dragons have held a late lead in all seven. They have not lost any game by more than one run since April 20 and have held a lead after the fifth inning in 15 consecutive games.

Up Next: The Dragons (12-15) do not play on Monday before opening a six-game series in Peoria, Illinois against the Peoria Chiefs (14-12) on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:05 p.m. Hunter Parks (2-1, 2.29) will start for Dayton. The next Dragons home game is Tuesday, May 16 against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com 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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Midwest League Stories from May 7, 2023


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