MWL Dayton Dragons

McLain Leads Dragons to 3-2 Win over Lansing

September 2, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - Matt McLain collected three hits and drove in three runs to lead the Dayton Dragons to a 3-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday night. The Dragons have won two of the first three games in the series. A crowd of 5,537 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark.

The Dragons led the game from the first inning and extended their lead to 3-0 in the fifth. Dragons pitchers took a shutout to the ninth inning before Lansing scored twice and had the tying run at second with one out before falling short.

The Dragons took the lead in the first when Michael Siani singled to left field, stole second, and scored on McLain's double to left to make it 1-0.

In the fifth, Jacob Hurtubise got the rally started with a single to right and went to second on a wild pitch. Siani walked and Quin Cotton singled to left to load the bases. McLain followed with a single to right to drive in both Hurtubise and Siani to make it 3-0.

Lansing, who had trailed 3-0 going to the final inning in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader before scoring four runs to win 4-3, gave the Dragons another scare on Thursday. The Lugnuts got a one-out, two-run home run from Shane Selman to make it 3-2, and Drew Swift followed with a double to put the tying run in scoring position. But Dragons reliever Pedro Garcia rebounded, getting a strikeout and a pop out to end the game.

The victory was credited to Sam Hellinger (3-2), the second of four Dayton pitchers. Hellinger fired two scoreless innings after entering the game to start the fifth inning. Starter Christian Roa fired four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with five walks and five strikeouts. JC Keys followed Hellinger with two scoreless innings. Garcia was credited with his second save despite allowing two runs in his only inning of work.

The Dragons finished with nine hits. Along with McLain's three-hit night, Hurtubise was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

The Race: The Dragons began the day three games behind Cedar Rapids in the race for the final playoff spot. While the Dragons won their game, Cedar Rapids was tied with Quad Cities 9-9 going to the bottom of the ninth inning as this story was posted. Dayton has 15 games to play. Dayton remained two games out of first place in the East Division of the High-A Central League (division winner not guaranteed a playoff berth).

Up Next: The Dragons (55-50) host Lansing (49-56) on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Day Air Ballpark in the fourth game of a six-game series. Bryce Bonnin (0-1, 13.50) will pitch for Dayton against Lansing's Reid Birlingmair (3-8, 4.60).

On the Air: All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on 980 WONE AM Fox Sports. 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.

For Dragons 2021 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287 or go to daytondragons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from September 2, 2021


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