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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Seven, Eight and Nine, Three Man Wrecking Crew in 12-5 Win

June 24, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, IN- The second half of the season is only two days old but if the Dayton Dragons (2-0, 32-40) had to name a second half MVP it would be Cody Strait. The Dragons centerfielder knocked home the only runs of the ballgame, and his sixth and seventh of the second half thus far, in a 2-0 Dragons win over the Fort Wayne Wizards (0-2, 38-34). The Dayton pitching staff took care of the rest as the Dragons recorded its fourth shutout of the 2005 season.

Both starting pitchers set the tone early as the Dragons Homer Bailey (WP, 2-3) and Fort Wayne's Clayton Hamilton (LP, 8-5) pitched through the sixth inning. For Bailey, his 6.0 innings of work was the longest of his professional career. The right hander scattered two hits, struck out four and walked two. Fort Wayne stranded all four base runners that reached against Bailey. Hamilton completed 7.0 innings allowing four hits. Hamilton, struck out four, walked and hit one batter and allowed one run.

For the second consecutive night, Strait continued his offensive heroics. The Dragons centerfielder who picked up five runs batted in the opening game of the series on Thursday was at it again on Friday night. The pitcher's duel was alive and well through five innings as the game was a 0-0 tie heading into the top of the sixth inning. Strait jumped on a Hamilton offering and launched it over the 16 foot high wall in left for his sixth HR of the season and a 1-0 Dragons advantage.

Jon George (ND) replaced Bailey and allowed a lead off single to Tom Vincent to start off the Wizards seventh. That would be the only hit that George allowed as he retired the next six in a row he faced to get the Dragons to the bottom of the ninth.

With Dayton hanging onto a 1-0 lead, Strait delivered once again for the Miami Valley's team in the top half of the eighth. Jonathan Ellis (ND) took over for Hamilton and walked the Dayton leadoff man Jorge Mejia on four pitches. Mejia swiped second base to put himself into scoring position for Strait. Strait delivered, again. A double down the line and inside the bag at third got Mejia home from second base for a 2-0 Dayton lead. For Strait it was his seventh RBI in the last two games, and his 18th batted in his last 18 played dating back to May 30th.

Blake Hendley (SV, 8) continued to prove his worth out of the bullpen tossing another one, two, three inning and keeping the Wizards off the board. Hendley lowered his all ready microscopic ERA from 0.98 to 0.96 and preserved the win for Bailey.

The Dragons and Wizards continue the four game series at Memorial Stadium Saturday night. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM carries the game live, beginning with the pre game show at 6:45 PM. Saturday's first pitch is 7:15 PM. LHP Camilo Vazquez gets the start for the Dragons, while Fort Wayne will counter with RHP Joel Soto.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 24, 2005


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