MWL Dayton Dragons

Thompson Leads Dragons to Comeback Win, 8-6 at Fort Wayne

Published on June 15, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, Ind. - Justice Thompson collected three hits including a tie-breaking RBI triple in the seventh inning as the Dayton Dragons erased a four-run deficit to defeat the Fort Wayne TinCaps 8-6 on Thursday night.

The Dragons snapped a three-game losing streak with the victory and ended Fort Wayne's four-game winning streak. The game was the second largest comeback victory of the year for the Dragons. They battled back from a five-run deficit to beat Fort Wayne on May 15 at Day Air Ballpark.

On Thursday, Fort Wayne hit home runs in each of the first three innings and opened a lead of 6-2 through the first four frames. Dayton's Jack Rogers had a two-run triple for the Dragons in the third to account for their first two runs.

The Dragons started back in the fifth inning. Yan Contreras started the rally with a triple off the center field fence, and with two outs, Austin Callahan drove him in with a double to left. Callahan scored on a single to right by Edwin Arroyo to make it 6-4.

The Dragons enjoyed a big inning in the seventh to take the lead. Callahan started the inning with a single, went to second on an error, and scored on Arroyo's single to make it 6-5. With one out, Mat Nelson singled to drive in Arroyo from second to tie the game. And with two outs, Thompson tripled to right-center to bring in Nelson from first and give the Dragons a 7-6 lead. Wendell Marrero followed with a single to left to drive in Thompson and make it 8-6.

Meanwhile, the Dayton bullpen shut down the Fort Wayne offense, which had collected eight hits and six runs over the first four innings. Myles Gayman (5-1) worked two and one-third shutout innings to earn the win. Jake Gozzo followed Gayman and pitched the seventh and eighth innings, allowing no hits and no runs. Braxton Roxby pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his third save.

The Dragons had 13 hits in the game. Thompson led by way by going 3 for 4 with a triple, two singles, a walk, and a big RBI. Arroyo had two hits, each of which drove in a run. Callahan and Nelson also had two hits apiece. The big night at the plate was a welcome outcome for the Dragons, who had scored two runs or less in five of their last seven games.

The win lifted the Dragons back to the .500 mark at 30-30 with six games to play in the first half season.

Up Next: The Dragons (30-30) continue the series at Fort Wayne on Friday at 7:05 p.m. in the fourth game of the six-game set with the TinCaps (29-31). Julian Aguiar (2-1, 2.42) is scheduled to start for Dayton.

The Dragons next home game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 20 at 7:05 p.m. against the Lake County Captains at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. 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 June 15, 2023


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