MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Snappers Ambush Dragons in Second Game of Series 14-5

Published on July 1, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Beloit, WI- The Dayton Dragons (5-4, 35-44) started quick scoring four runs in the top half of the first inning and faded even more quickly as the Beloit Snappers (5-4, 38-41) scored the next 13 runs in the game, on route to crushing Dayton in the second game of a four game series 14-5 on Friday night at Pohlman Field in Beloit, Wisconsin.

The Dragons battered the ace of the Snappers staff Anthony Swarzak (WP, 8-4) with four runs in the top of the first. Swarzak's biggest enemy in the first was himself. The right hander walked the first two batters he faced and surrendered a single to B.J. Szymanski to load the bases. Jeremiah Piepkorn cleared the bases with a three RBI double to left and the Dragons led 3-0. A Beloit error allowed Tonys Gutierrez to reach and moved Piepkorn to third. Bobby Mosby knocked home the fourth run of the inning on a sac fly to center field that scored Piepkorn for a 4-0 Dayton lead.

Dragons starter Philippe Valiquette (LP, 0-4) fared no better, as the Snappers drew five walks from the left hander in 1.2 innings. Four of the walks came home to score as Beloit picked up three runs in both the first and the second innings. David Winfree drove home a run in the first with an RBI double and scored a pair in the second with a two RBI single to right. Jeremy Pickrel knocked home a run with a RBI single. The Snappers also picked up runs on a double play ball in the first inning and a Valiquette wild pitch in the second. Through two innings, Beloit led 6-4.

It went from bad to worse for the Dragons in the third as the Snappers jumped on the bullpen as well. Ramon Ramirez (ND) took over for Valiquette with two down in the second and Dayton trailing 6-4. Valiquette lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing six earned runs on four hits. The left hander walked five and threw one wild pitch. Ramirez got the final out of the inning on a grounder to second. In the third, after scoring a run to increase lead to 7-4, Beloit loaded the bases on a walk and two singles for Winfree, who launched a Ramirez offering over the wall in left for a grand slam. The blast gave Beloit an 11-4 lead and gave Winfree seven runs batted in on the night.

Ramirez allowed another pair of runs in the fourth inning on a solo homer from Chris Brown, a fielder's choice and two wild pitches. Beloit led 13-4 after five innings In 1.2 innings, the Dragons reliever surrendered seven earned runs, four hits, walked two, hit one batter and threw one wild pitch.

Swarzak righted the ship and got through the fifth inning to pick up the win. After allowing four runs in the first inning to the Dragons, the right hander blanked Dayton over the next 4.0 innings. He finished his night with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Phil Gentry homered to lead off the sixth inning to get the Dragons to within eight at 13-5. The Snappers picked up a single tally in the bottom of the eighth off Jared Sanders to close out the scoring at 14-5.

Josh Hill (SV, 2) picked up a save the "old school" way tossing the final 3.0 innings on the night.

Game three of the four game series between the Dragons and Snappers takes place Saturday night, with an 8:00 PM first pitch. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM carries the game live, beginning with the pre game show at 7:30 PM. RHP James Morrison gets the start for the Dragons, while Beloit will counter with RHP Jay Rainville.

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Midwest League Stories from July 1, 2005


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