MWL Dayton Dragons

Rogers, Ibarra Lead Dragons to 7-5 Win Over Lansing

Published on August 23, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - Jack Rogers lined a tie-breaking two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Dayton Dragons defeated the Lansing Lugnuts 7-5 on Wednesday night. The Dragons have won the first two games of the six-game set.

A crowd of 7,442 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Dragons are three games behind first place West Michigan in the Midwest League East Division standings, pending the completion of West Michigan's Wednesday night game at Peoria, which went to extra innings. There are 16 games to play in the second half season.

The Dragons battled back from deficits at two different points in the game, keyed by Rogers and Ruben Ibarra, who drove in four runs on the night.

"We have a lot of confidence right now," said Rogers. "This group is so tight knit. We're just going out there and having fun. We're putting together good at bats. We're just trying to get into their bullpen and then execute with runners in scoring position."

Dayton trailed 2-0 in the fourth as Lansing starting pitcher Jacob Watters retired the first 10 batters of the game including eight on strikeouts. But with one out in the fourth, Sal Stewart walked and Cade Hunter also drew a walk. Rogers followed with a single to right field to drive in Stewart and make it 2-1. Ibarra followed with a long home run to left-center field, driving in Hunter and Rogers ahead of him, to give the Dragons a 4-2 lead. The homer was the 13th of the year for Ibarra.

View the Ibarra home run here: https://twitter.com/DragonsBaseball/status/1694504507663667285?s

But Lansing rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth to again jump in front, 5-4. The Dragons tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Rogers walked with one out and scored from first on Ibarra's double to the left field corner to make it 5-5.

In the bottom of the eighth, Hunter singled to left field with one out, and Rogers followed with an opposite field home run to left to break the 5-5 tie and give the Dragons a 7-5 lead. The home run was the second in the last two nights for Rogers and his 13th of the year.

"I was just trying to see it deep," said Rogers. "He had good movement on the ball. He was throwing a cutter a lot. Just trying to find something I could get extended on. It worked out in my favor."

Dragons reliever Brooks Crawford entered the game to start the ninth and pitched a scoreless inning to earn his second save of the season. Zach Maxwell (3-1) was credited with the win. He tossed two and one-third scoreless innings, retiring seven of the eight batters he faced including four on strikeouts.

Rogers was 2 for 3 with a home run and three runs batted in. He also scored three runs and drew a walk. Ibarra was 2 for 4 with a home run, double, and four runs batted in.

Rogers entered the game batting .347 over his last 20 games, with 21 runs batted in. He credits an improved eye at the plate.

"Just honing in on my approach," said Rogers. "Not swinging on a lot of bad pitches. I'm really just trying to eliminate that and focusing on what I'm trying to do."

Up Next: The Dragons (27-23, 60-56) host Lansing (21-29, 52-63) on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in the third game of the six-game series at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Hunter Parks (3-5, 4.17) is scheduled to start for Dayton. 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 23, 2023


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