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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Ninth Inning Undoes Dragons as Caps Win 6-1

June 10, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - Cameron Maybin, the Detroit Tigers First Round Selection in the 2005 First Year Player Draft, two picks ahead of Dayton's Jay Bruce the same year, had a monster night for the visiting West Michigan Whitecaps (37-23) knocking in five of the six Whitecaps runs with an RBI single in the first and a grand slam in the top of the ninth. The slam was the highlight of the frame for West Michigan, as the visitors snapped a 1-1 tie with a five spot to beat the Dayton Dragons (29-34) in the series opener 6-1 at Fifth Third Field in front of 8,761 fans Saturday night.

Robert Manuel (ND) made his first start for the Dragons and surrendered only one run in his 6.0 innings of work. The right hander allowed five hits with one strikeout and no walks leaving the game after the sixth inning. The opening hitter of the night, West Michigan's Will Rhymes set the tone as to what type of night it would be as the ‘Caps second baseman took Manuel 11 pitches into the top half of the first inning, fouling off several pitches with a three ball two strike count before doubling to right field. After advancing to third on a ground out, Rhymes came home on Maybin's RBI single to center and West Michigan led 1-0.

Erick Averill (ND) made the 1-0 lead standup until two outs in the Dragons fifth inning, when Dayton third baseman J.D. Reininger unloaded on a Averill fastball, taking it up and out over the wall in left center for a solo homer to tie the game at 1-1. The home run for Reininger was his first since a solo shot on April 7th at Fifth Third Field against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Averill lasted 7.0 innings allowing five hits and one run with seven strikeouts and two wild pitches.

The next best chance for either team to score was in the visitors half of the eighth inning as West Michigan put together a two out rally against Dragons lefty Philippe Valiquette (ND). A two out walk to Maybin and a base hit to right by Matt Joyce put runners at first and second for Mike Hernandez. Manager Billy Gardner went to the bullpen to bring in right hander Jeff Stevens (ND) who got out of the inning by inducing Hernandez to ground out to short to end the frame.

Stevens would only face one hitter on the night as Gardner brought in Blake Hendley (LP, 1-3) to work the ninth. Mike Holliman led off the inning with a grounder on the right side to Habelito Hernandez at first. Holliman beat Hendley to the bag and was safe with an infield single. Justin Justice followed with a base hit to right center to give the ‘Caps first and second with none down. Mark Haske moved the runners to second and third laying down a SAC bunt. The Dragons intentionally walked pinch hitter Dusty Ryan to set up a bases loaded situation with one down. The Dragons brought the infield in against Rhymes who delivered an RBI single to center to drive in the go ahead run to make it 2-1 ‘Caps. Maybin then put the game away with a clout of epic proportions that completely left Fifth Third Field bouncing on Monument Street behind the stadium in left. The grand slam gave West Michigan a 6-1 lead.

Anthony Claggett (WP, 3-1) picked up the win retiring the Dragons in order in the eighth inning. Orlando Perdomo (ND) tossed a one, two, three ninth inning in a non save situation.

The Dragons continue the four game series against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Sunday night at Fifth Third Field. LHP Travis Wood (5-0, 3.39 ERA) will get the start for Dayton, while the Whitecaps counter with RHP Burke Badenhop (6-2, 3.36 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons pre game show at 1:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com.

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