MWL Dayton Dragons

West Michigan Erases Four-Run Deficit to Edge Dragons 5-4

Published on July 2, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps battled back from a 4-0 deficit, scoring two runs in the seventh inning to tie and one more in the eighth to take the lead as they went on to defeat the Dayton Dragons 5-4 on Sunday night. The two clubs split the six-game series.

Dayton jumped out to an early lead. Jack Rogers hit the second pitch of the game for a home run to center field, his fifth homer of the year. In the second inning, the Dragons added two more runs. Austin Hendrick singled to start the inning and scored from first base on a double by Austin Callahan. Callahan eventually scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0. Hendrick launched a long home run to right field in the third, his fifth homer of the year and second of the series, to make it 4-0.

Dragons starting pitcher Jose Acuña did not allow a run until the fifth inning and left the game with a 4-1 lead. In his five innings, he allowed five hits and one run with two walks and seven strikeouts. The Whitecaps scored one run in the sixth to make it 4-2 and then tied the game in the seventh on a two-run home run by Eliezer Alfonzo. In the bottom of the eighth, West Michigan put together a two-out rally when Jace Jung walked and scored from first on a double by Brady Allen to make it 5-4. The Dragons were retired in order in the ninth.

The Dragons finished the night with seven hits. Hendrick was 3 for 4 with a home run, stolen base, and two runs scored.

The Dragons will remain in first place in the Midwest League's East Division. They lead second place Fort Wayne by one game pending the conclusion of the TinCaps game Sunday night at Lake County. West Michigan is also one game back.

Up Next: The Dragons (6-3, 39-36) do not play on Monday. They will open a six-game series at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District in Dayton on Tuesday, July 4 at 7:05 p.m. against the Great Lakes Loons (4-4, 49-24). Hunter Parks (2-3, 3.80) 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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