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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Whitecaps pick up 6-5 win, clinch season series

July 14, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Whitecaps Pick Up 6-5 Win, Clinch Season Series West Michigan leads season series 7-5 and goes for three game sweep on Friday night

Comstock Park, MI- The Dayton Dragons (10-11, 40-51) were looking for a game two win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (12-9, 45-46) to move back into a second place tie with the home team in the Midwest League's Eastern Division. A win would also give the Dragons a chance to win the season series between the two clubs. The Miami Valley's team got neither, as West Michigan scored two in the sixth to come from behind and pick up a 6-5 win in front of 8,892 at Fifth Third Ballpark Thursday night.

Dayton got on the board in the top of the second inning on a mammoth blast off the bat of Chris Kroski to lead off the inning. Whitecap starter Dallas Trahern (W, 5-8) left a pitch up and over the plate to the Dragons first baseman and the big left hander took advantage of the mistake. Kroski deposited the Trahern delivery over the party deck in the right field corner for a 1-0 Dayton lead.

The lead didn't last for long as the Whitecaps picked up a run off Dayton starter Homer Bailey (L, 2-4) in the bottom of the second. Jeff Frazier picked up a one out double and moved to third base when a strike three pitch in the dirt to Matt Parish forced a throw to first from Dayton catcher John Purdom. With two down and at third, Frazier took a play out of the great Jackie Robinson's play book. Frazier stole home for the first run of the game, as Bailey, paid no attention to Frazier, who was barreling towards home before the pitcher started his motion. Frazier slid home safely and tied the game at 1-1.

West Michigan gave the Dragons a run in the top half of the fifth inning on a Brent Dlugach throwing error scored Bradley Key from second base with the go ahead run at 2-1. Key reached on a base hit and moved to second with one down when Cody Strait was hit by a pitch.

West Michigan chased Bailey in the sixth inning with two down. The Dayton starter was razor sharp through five innings allowing only one hit and one run. In the sixth inning, Bailey hit the lead off man Brooks Colvin and with one down walked Clete Thomas. A ground out moved the runners up to second and third with two outs for Dlugach. The ‘Caps shortstop came through with a single scoring both runners to give WM the 3-2 lead. Bailey was lifted after 5.2 innings of two hit, three run baseball. The starter struck out five and walked three on the night.

Trahern was yanked after the sixth inning, in a position to pick up his fifth win of the year. The Whitecap starter allowed four hits and two runs in his 6.0 innings walking two, striking out two and hitting one batter. Lavon Lewis (ND) kept the Dragons at two runs over the seventh and eighth innings with 2.0 innings of scoreless relief.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Dragons imploded defensively committing three errors, which led to three unearned runs off reliever Ramon Ramirez (ND). The third error, called on Key for a missed tag at third base, sent Dragons skipper Alonzo Powell into a rage as he charged out of the dugout and let bases umpire Mark Evans know his displeasure with the call. Powell was given the gate and the ‘Caps ended the eighth leading 6-2 on a RBI sac fly from Frazier, a RBI single from Matt Parrish and a RBI double by Jody Roughton.

The Dragons picked up three in the top half of the ninth off WM reliever Kevin Ardoin (ND) who didn't provide much relief for the 8,892 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark as the faithful were on the edge of their seats. Strait picked up a RBI single and Phil Gentry knocked home two with a triple to get Dayton to within 6-5. With two down and Gentry, the tying run at third, Drew Anderson grounded out to first to end the game.

The Dragons and Whitecaps wrap up the three game series Friday night at Fifth Third Ball Park, with a 7:00 PM first pitch. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM carries the game live, beginning with the pre game show at 6:30 PM. RHP James Morrison gets the start for the Dragons, while West Michigan will counter with RHP Jair Jurrjens.

@ Fifth Third Ball Park - Comstock Park, MI

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