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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Mahle, LaValley Lead Dragons to 8-2 Win

June 3, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Clinton, Iowa-Tyler Mahle fired seven shutout innings and Gavin LaValley went 4 for 4 to lead the Dayton Dragons to an 8-2 victory over the Clinton Lumber Kings in the opener to a three-game series. The win gave the Dragons a positive start to their six-game West Division road trip.

Mahle allowed just two hits (both singles) while walking one and striking out eight to improve his record to 5-3. Mahle has allowed just three runs over his last five starts covering 33.1 innings.

The Dragons (28-25) remained in third place with the win, one game behind the wildcard leader, second place Bowling Green. They increased their lead over the fourth place club, Great Lakes, to one and one-half games.

The Dragons took a 2-0 lead in the second inning, getting three straight hits to start the frame. LaValley singled to center field to start the rally and went to second on a wild pitch. Luis Gonzalez doubled down the left field line to bring in LaValley, and Jose Ortiz lined a double to left to drive in Gonzalez.

The Dragons added three more runs in the fifth to take command of the game. Jonathan Reynoso walked to start the inning and stole second. With two outs, Paul Kronenfeld walked, and a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. Avain Rachal then lined a double to the left field fence to bring in Reynoso and Kronenfeld, and LaValley followed with a single to right to drive in Rachal and make it 5-0.

In the eighth, Dayton's Narciso Crook blasted a two-out, three-run home run to left field, his second homer of the year, to make it 8-0. Clinton scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth to close out the scoring.

The Dragons collected 12 hits in the game. LaValley became the third Dragons player to collect four hits in a game this season, joining Brian O'Grady and Luis Gonzalez. He scored twice and drove in one. Ronald Bueno, Luis Gonzalez, and Avain Rachal each had two hits on Wednesday for the Dragons.

Dragons reliever Jake Paulson finished the game, allowing two unearned runs in two innings of work while striking out four. Paulson lowered his earned run average to 2.84, giving the Dragons 11 pitchers on a 13-man staff with ERA's under 3.00.

The Dragons battle the Lumber Kings again on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) in the second game of the series. Wyatt Strahan (4-4, 2.82) will start for Dayton.

All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on Fox Sports 980 WONE and on the internet at wone.com. Games are also available on the Dayton Dragons mobile app.

Notes: Right-handed pitcher Mark Armstrong has been placed on the disabled list with a right elbow sprain. Left-handed pitcher Junior Morillo has been promoted to Dayton from extended spring training to replace Armstrong in the starting rotation. Armstrong left Monday's game with elbow soreness in the sixth inning. He is expected to miss two starts but could return to action to start the second half in late June. Armstrong has made 10 starts and one relief appearance for the Dragons this season, going 3-2 with a 2.86 earned run average. Morillo began the 2014 season in the Dragons starting rotation but suffered an elbow injury in his first start and missed the remainder of the season. He underwent "Tommy John" reconstructive elbow surgery and has not pitched in an official game in 2015. Morillo has pitched in the Reds organization since signing as an international free agent in 2009.

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