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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Whitecaps Bullpen Cools Off Dragons

May 29, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Comstock Park, MI - The bats of the Dayton Dragons (25-26) woke up for the series opener against West Michigan (30-18), but the Whitecaps rallied to steal the victory. Dayton scored five runs in the first four innings, but was shut out over the final five innings and West Michigan came from behind to win 6-5 at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Eric Eymann put the Dragons ahead in their first at-bat off West Michigan starter Ramon Garcia (ND) with his third home run of the season. The ball sailed over the wall in left field to give Dayton the 1-0 advantage.

The Whitecaps put together a productive third inning against Zach Ward (ND) and the Dragons picking up three runs on three hits. Rafael Mendez led the inning off with a double and with one down, Pedro Cotto was hit by a pitch putting runners at first and second for Matt Joyce. Joyce came through with a two RBI gap triple to right center scoring both runners and giving the 'Caps a 2-1 lead. West Michigan added to the lead with a two out RBI infield single by Justin Justice for a 3-1 WM lead.

The Dragons came roaring back in the top of the fourth off Garcia to retake the lead at 5-3. Garcia's previous high in terms of runs allowed was two but on Monday, the Dragons roughed him up for five in 4.0 innings of work. Jay Bruce led off the inning with a double and moved up to third on a Garcia throwing error. B.J. Szymanski got Bruce home with a SAC fly to cut the lead to 3-2. Habelito Hernandez singled and Garcia walked J.D. Reininger with two down before Gerardo knocked in the pair on a triple to dead center for a 4-3 Dayton lead. Mike DeJesus made it 5-3 on a two our RBI single to left scoring Cabrera.

West Michigan whittled the lead down to one at 5-4 with a single tally in the bottom half of the fifth off Ward. Cotto and Joyce picked up back-to-back singles to open the inning. After advancing to third on a fly ball to center, Cotto scored on a SAC fly by Justice and the Dragons lead was trimmed to one.

The Whitecaps would steal the lead back in the seventh off reliever Jeff Stevens (LP, 2-4). With one out, Mike Hernandez singled to right, and came around to score the tying run on a triple from Justice. After a strikeout for the second out, Mike Hollimon was intentionally walked to put runners at the corners. Damian Ursin (??) relieved Stevens, and gave up a single to Will Rhymes, scoring Justice, and giving West Michigan the 6-5 advantage.

While West Michigan was rallying, reliever Josh Rainwater (WP, 1-0) was able to quiet the bats of the Dragons. Rainwater pitched 4.0 innings of shutout baseball, allowing three hits and striking out three. Orlando Perdomo (S, 14) pitched the ninth to earn the save for West Michigan, and extend Dayton's losing streak to four.

The Dragons continue the four game series at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Michigan with the West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday evening with a 6:35 PM first pitch. RHP Johnny Cueto (5-1, 2.49 ERA) gets the start for the Dragons, while the Whitecaps will throw RHP Sendy Vasquez (2-3, 2.93 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons pre game show at 6:00 PM. All Dragons games in 2006 can also be heard live on the internet at www.daytondragons.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 29, 2006


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