MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Lugnuts Top Dragons 8-5 on Monday in Lansing

April 23, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Lansing, Mich.-Gustavo Pierre belted a second inning grand slam home run and three Lansing relievers combined to pitch four hitless, scoreless innings as the Lugnuts defeated the Dayton Dragons 8-5 on Monday in the opener of a three-game series. The loss dropped the Dragons to 5-12 on the season. Lansing improved to 5-9.

The Dragons battled back from a 6-2 deficit to pull to within one at 6-5 in the third inning but they were shutout over the remainder of the game. Lansing scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to close out the scoring.

The Dragons scored twice in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Beau Amaral walked to start the game and went to second on Zach Vincej's single to left. Jesse Winker's base hit to right brought in Amaral, and Vincej eventually scored on Jeff Gelalich's sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

But Lansing scored one run in the bottom of the first and five in the second to take a 6-2 lead. One run scored on a bases loaded walk, and Pierre drilled a two-out grand slam home run for the Lugnuts to key their uprising.

The Dragons battled back immediately with three runs in the third to pull within one. Amaral singled to start the rally and later scored on a base hit by Seth Mejias-Brean. Winker's double to deep center brought in Mejias-Brean, and Winker scored on Gelalich's ground out to second to make it 6-5.

Dayton had eight hits over five innings against Lansing starting pitcher Javier Avendano, but they were held without a hit over the final four innings by the Lansing bullpen.

Winker was 3 for 3 with a double, two singles, and a walk for the Dragons. Gelalich drove in two runs but did not have a hit as his eight-game hitting streak came to an end. Mejias-Brean and Winker both extended their hitting streaks to six straight games.

Dragons starting pitcher Ismael Guillon (0-3) allowed six runs on only two hits over one and two-thirds innings. He walked six and struck out three. Wes Mugarian replaced Guillon and worked three and one-third scoreless innings in an excellent long relief role. He allowed two hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Ben Klimesh worked three innings, allowing four hits and two runs with one walk and five strikeouts. Dragons pitchers combined to strikeout 11 and walk 10.

The Dragons take on the Lugnuts in a morning game on Tuesday at 10:35 a.m. Pedro Diaz, a hard-thrower just brought in from extended spring training, will make his first start for the Dragons. Alonzo Gonzalez (1-1, 4.63) will start for Lansing. The series concludes at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday. The Dragons begin a six-game home stand at Fifth Third Field vs. Peoria on Thursday, April 25. All Dragons games can be heard on WONE Radio (980 AM) and via the internet at daytondragons.com and wone.com.

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Midwest League Stories from April 23, 2013


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