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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

No Answer For Dragons in 7-4 Defeat

July 22, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - Cesar Nicolas' one-out 10th inning RBI single off Dayton Dragons (43-55, 13-15) closer Blake Hendley (ND) keyed the winning run, which also spurred a three-run rally for the South Bend Silver Hawks (56-42, 15-13) in a 7-4 Dragons loss, before a sold out crowd of 8,752 at Fifth Third Field on Friday night.

South Bend, who has now evened the four-game series with the Dragons at one apiece, scored five unanswered runs, rallying from a 4-2 sixth inning deficit. The Silver Hawks tied the game on a two-run rally off Dragons reliever Zac Stott (ND), keyed by Agustin Murillo's RBI single and an RBI sacrifice flyout from Nicolas.

The Silver Hawk rally began on an Alberto Gonzalez leadoff single, followed by an intentional walk issued two batters later, to Carlos Gonzales. Dragon reliever James Morrison (L, 0-3) was lifted for Hendley, whose mission was to keep the score tied. However, Nicolas' RBI single was followed by an RBI double from Jereme Milons, and a wild pitch by Hendley that allowed Nicolas to score an extra insurance run.

The Dragons chance to take the lead for good came in the seventh, loading the bases on three walks. Todd Stein (ND) got Chris Kroski though to bounce out into a grounder to second, snuffing the Dragons rally. Nobody would get on base for the rest of the night, as South Bend relievers, capped off by Matt Elliott's (SV, 25) perfect 10th inning save, retired the last 10 Dragons hitters that reached the plate.

Dayton scored four unanswered runs to take a 4-2 lead in the fourth, spurred by Phil Gentry's two-run double. The Dragons tied the game in the second on one swing of the bat, when Kroski laced a two-run triple down the right field line.

Lost in the fracas was Dragons hurler Jon George's (ND) superb outing on the mound despite taking a no-decision. George threw five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, with no walks and three strikeouts.

South Bend drew first blood on two mammoth back-to-back homers in the second by Nicolas and Milons, with Nicolas' shot clearing the batter's eye in centerfield. George settled down after to retire the next 10 of 11 hitters faced.

The Silver Hawks jumped out to an early lead on Dragons starter Jon George (ND), when Cesar Nicolas and Jereme Milons hit back-to-back solo home runs. Nicolas' round-tripper was to straightaway center field and cleared the batters-eye - a feat only completed by two Dragons: Wily Mo Pena and Samone Peters.

Nicolas led the South Bend hitting attack with a 2-for-3 night, including a homer and three RBI's. Jorge Mejia was the most efficient Dragon at the plate, collecting a 2-for-3 effort with a run scored. Josh Perrault (W, 5-2) picked up the win by retiring all six Dragon hitters faced.

The Dragons and Silver Hawks continue the four game series on Saturday night at Fifth Third Field with a 7:05 P.M. first pitch. Dragons lefty Camilo Vasquez will get the ball for Dayton while RHP Ross Ohlendorf will take the hill for South Bend. The game can be heard on radio at ESPN Radio 1410-AM and on the Internet at www.daytondragons.com, with the pre-game show beginning at 6:30 pm. Time Warner Cable will televise Saturday night's game on channel 25 beginning at 7:00 P.M.

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Midwest League Stories from July 22, 2005


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