MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Olmstead Knocks in Four in Dragons 7-4 Win

Published on June 6, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH– Fortunately, the Dayton Dragons (24-33) have short memories. None of the disappointment from Saturday night's 9-7 loss at the hands of the Beloit Snappers (30-27) and the improbable top of the ninth melt down seemed to lingering around Fifth Third Field Sunday afternoon for the third game of the four game series. The Dragons snapped a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning with five runs and picked up a 7-4 victory in front of 8,460 fans.

The Dragons played small ball in both the first and the fourth innings taking a 2-0 lead into the top half of the fifth. With one down in the Dayton first, Snapper starter Dana Eveland (ND) walked Luis Bolivar on four straight and put the Dragons shortstop on first. After Joey Votto doubled of the wall in right center, Dayton was in business with second and third and one down for Walter Olmstead. The third baseman picked up the first of his four RBI on the day with a ground out to second and the Dragons led 1-0. A Votto walk to lead off the fourth and a hit and run single by Olmstead put runners on the corners for Ben Himes. Himes lifted a SAC fly to right field that scored Votto from third and the lead was 2-0.

The Snappers picked up six hits off Dayton starter Brock Till (ND) but couldn't string together a run scoring inning until the fifth, when Josh Murray homered to left center to cut the deficit to 2-1. That would be all that Beloit would get off Till who got out of the inning throwing a 4-6-3 double play. In 5.0 innings Till struck out one and hit one batter, but issued no walks and picked up a no decision on the afternoon.

Beloit tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth, picking up a run off Dragons reliever Derek Hawk (ND). A lead off double by Steve Moss and a ground out had the Snapper's center fielder at third with one down in the inning. Lou Palmisano tied the game up with a fly ball to center field for a SAC fly and his 32nd RBI of the season.

Snapper right hander Thomas Hawk (L, 0-1) made his MWL debut in the ball game beginning the sixth inning and retiring the Dragons without a run crossing the plate.

The seventh inning proved to be a different story as the pitcher got himself in trouble with free passes. Beloit pitching on the day walked five Dragons hitters and allowed four to cross home, which proved to be the difference in the game. Back-to-back one out walks to Will Hudson and Chris Dickerson put Dayton in business for Bolivar. Hawk got Bolivar to foul out to the catcher for the second out of the inning but failed to close the deal, allowing a two out RBI single to Votto to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead. With two down and two on, Olmstead broke out the whoopin' stick and slammed a three run HR down the line in right field to push the advantage to 6-2. Olmstead's fifth round tripper of the season gave him four RBI on the day, a season high. Not to be out done, Himes followed Olmstead's shot with a solo HR as the Dragons went back-to-back in the inning for a 7-2 lead.

The Snappers tried to mount a second consecutive late inning comeback with single runs in the eighth and ninth innings but the rally fell short. David Shafer (W, 4-1) tossed the final 3.0 innings and allowed two runs; a run scoring double play ball in the eighth and a solo HR to Manuel Ramirez in the ninth. Shafer allowed two earned runs on four hits and struck out three in picking up the victory.

Game three of the four game series between the Dragons and Snappers is Monday night at Fifth Third Field, with a 7:00 PM first pitch. ESPN Radio 1410 Wing AM will carry the game live with the pre game show beginning at 6:30 PM. The Dragons will start RHP Rainer Feliz; Beloit will counter with RHP Carlos Villanueva.

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Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2004


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