MWL Dayton Dragons

Nelson, Hunter Enjoy Big Games in Dragons' 7-1 Victory on Saturday

Published on August 19, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, Ind. - Mat Nelson blasted two home runs and Cade Hunter had three hits including a home run with three runs batted in as the Dayton Dragons defeated the Fort Wayne TinCaps 7-1 on Saturday night. The win put the Dragons on position to split the six-game series at Fort Wayne with a win on Sunday in the finale.

With the win, the Dragons are two games behind first place West Michigan, pending the completion of the Whitecaps game with South Bend on Saturday (note: The game was heading to the 10th inning, tied 2-2, at this posting). There are 19 games to play in the second half season.

The Dragons collected 11 hits on Saturday night including three home runs and three doubles and did not allow Fort Wayne to score until the bottom of the ninth. Nelson had his fourth two-homer game of the season to lead the attack.

Dayton scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead. Nelson opened the inning with a long home run to left field. With one out, Edwin Arroyo doubled, and one batter later, Hunter blasted a two-run home run to right, his fourth home run with the Dragons and 14th of the year (he hit 10 with Daytona). Jack Rogers then reached on an error and Ruben Ibarra drove him in from first base with a double to the fence in left-center field to make it 4-0.

In the seventh, the Dragons pulled away from Fort Wayne with two more runs. Hunter doubled high off the fence in left to drive in Sal Stewart from first, and Ibarra singled to left to bring in Hunter and make it 6-0. Nelson belted his second home run of the game in the eighth, a solo shot to left to make it 7-0. That home run was Nelson's 18th of the year and moved him into a tie for the Midwest League lead.

Fort Wayne avoided the shutout with a run in the ninth to close out the scoring.

Dragons starting pitcher Chase Petty reached his innings limit after four scoreless frames. Petty allowed three hits and no walks with two strikeouts. Myles Gayman (6-2) followed Petty and tossed three scoreless innings to earn the win. Gayman allowed three hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Dennis Boatman pitched the final two innings, striking out five but allowing one run on two hits with two walks.

Along with Hunter's three-hit night, Arroyo, Ibarra, and Nelson had two hits for Dayton. Rogers had one hit to extend his hitting streak to 12 straight games, matching the team's season high.

Up Next: The Dragons (25-22, 58-55) play at Fort Wayne (26-21, 58-55) to close out the six-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Carson Rudd (4-5, 5.11) is scheduled to start for Dayton.

The next home game at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District is Tuesday, August 22 when the Dragons host the Lansing Lugnuts at 7:05 p.m. 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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Midwest League Stories from August 19, 2023


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