MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Walk-Off Homer in 11th Gives Dragons 3-2 Win

Published on June 10, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Dragons and West Michigan Whitecaps entered Sunday's game separated by just 1.5 games for first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division standings. Jason Louwsma's solo home run in the bottom of the 11th gave the Dragons a dramatic 3-2 win over the Whitecaps and moved the Dragons back to 2.5 games over the ‘Caps in the Midwest League's Eastern Division.

West Michigan took the early lead with a run in the second inning against Dragons starter Rafael Gonzalez (ND). Brennan Boesch and Gorkys Hernandez picked up back-to-back singles to begin the inning, and Boesch eventually scored on a ground out from Jeff Kunkel.

As has been the case all series long, the early lead didn't last long as the Dragons evened the game at 1-1 in the third. With two outs, Drew Stubbs and Justin Turner hit back-to-back doubles against Eleazer Aponte (ND). Turner had already extended his hitting streak to nine games with a single in the first inning and picked up his 26th RBI on the double in the third.

West Michigan jumped back in front in the top of the sixth, but wouldn't hold the lead very long. After two walks and a fielder's choice put runners at first and third, Gonzalez tried to pick the runner off at first base. Logan Parker couldn't handle the throw, and Boesch scampered home as the go ahead run to put the Whitecaps up 2-1.

The Dragons answered immediately in the bottom of the sixth inning. Juan Francisco led off with a double, and went to third on a sacrifice bunt from Chris Heisey. One out later, Logan Parker drew a walk to put runners on the corners. Tony Esquer, after picking up two RBIs in his first game back from the disabled list yesterday, came through again with an RBI single to center and the game was tied at two apiece.

Neither starting pitcher received a decision in the ballgame, although they both pitched well enough to earn the victory. Gonzalez went a season high 8.0 innings for the Dragons, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Aponte went 6.0 innings for the Whitecaps, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 due to outstanding relief work from both bullpens. Ed Clelland (ND) and Brett Jensen (ND) each tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief to keep the ‘Caps in the game. For the Dragons Lee Tabor (WP, 2-0) was nothing short of phenomenal. The southpaw retired all nine West Michigan hitters he faced, striking out one and maintaining the two all tie.

In the home half of the 11th following Tabor's third consecutive one, two, three inning, the Whitecaps went back to the pen and brought in right hander Jose Fragoso (LP, 0-2). The first batter the right hander faced was Louwsma, who had entered the game as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth. Louwsma took Fragoso's second pitch over the wall in left center for his third homer of the season and a walk off 3-2 Dragons win.

The Dragons head out on the road for two games against the Lansing Lugnuts in Michigan beginning Monday night at 7:05 PM. The Dragons will start LHP Travis Webb (3-3, 3.57 ERA) against RHP Chase Lirette (5-5, 4.42 ERA) of the Lugnuts. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are also carried live on the internet via All In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from June 10, 2007


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