MWL Dayton Dragons

Rey's 2-Run Double in 9th Lifts Dragons to 4-2 Win

Published on July 29, 2022 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich.-Dayton's Brian Rey drilled a tie-breaking two-run double with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Dragons to a 4-2 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Friday night.

Friday's win, following Thursday's 8-7 Dragons victory, gave the Dragons back-to-back wins for the first time since June 29-30, while West Michigan has lost consecutive games for the first time since June 21-22.

The Dragons improved their second half record to 8-18 (47-45 overall). West Michigan fell to 20-8 in the second half (51-43 overall).

Game Recap: The game was tied 2-2 through four innings and remained tied going to the ninth. Dayton's J.V. Martinez doubled to right-center field with one out in the top of the ninth, and Quincy McAfee drew a walk. With two outs, Rey lined the first pitch to the gap in left-center field, all the way to the fence, allowing Martinez and McAfee to score to give the Dragons a 4-2 lead.

Braxton Roxby entered the game to pitch the bottom of the ninth. After a groundout to first base, West Michigan's Trei Cruz hit a hard grounder to the right side. Dayton second baseman Tyler Callihan made a tremendous diving stop, popped to his feet, and threw out Cruz at first by a half step. Jake Holton singled to bring the tying run to the plate, but Callihan made a nice stop of Chase Barbary's hard one-hopper and outraced Holton to second base to end the game.

The Dragons led early, scoring a run in the second when Jose Torres walked, went to third on Mat Nelson's single, and scored on Quin Cotton's safety squeeze sacrifice bunt. In the fourth inning, Rey led off with a double on scored on Torres' single to make it 2-0.

West Michigan tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Dragons bullpen duo of Jacques Pucheu and Roxby shut them out over the remainder of the night.

Pucheu (1-1) was credited with the win. He worked three and one-third innings, allowing no runs on one hit with three walks and three strikeouts. Roxby earned his third save with the scoreless ninth inning.

Rey led the Dayton nine-hit attack, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, a single, two RBI, and a run scored. He is batting .357 with a home run and five RBI in three games since joining the Dragons.

Dragons starting pitcher Thomas Farr worked four and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Up Next: The Dragons meet the Whitecaps on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. in the fifth game of the series. Joe Boyle (3-4, 1.94) will start for Dayton. The series will conclude on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. when Chase Petty makes his Dragons debut.

The Dragons return home to Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District on Tuesday, August 2 when they host the Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) in the start of a six-game series. For ticket information, go 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 July 29, 2022


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