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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Wizards make Dragons disappear with 7-2 win

August 14, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Fort Wayne, IN - It has been almost four calendar years since the Dayton Dragons (26-24, 61-59) played a meaningful series in the month of August. Entering play on Monday night, the Dragons held a one half game advantage over the Fort Wayne Wizards (27-24, 58-60) for a second half playoff spot. The lead in the playoff chase did not last long, as Dayton dropped to 0-7 when trying to move to four games over .500 on the season. Fort Wayne blasted the Miami Valley's Team in the series opener in front of 6,421 at Memorial Stadium, 7-2.

Will Venable got the Wizards on the board in the bottom half of the first inning with a mammoth home run off Dayton starter Rafael Gonzalez (LP, 1-3). Venable the son of Wizards (and former Dragons) Hitting Coach Max Venable and college teammate of the Dragons B.J. Szymanski hammered a 96 mph offering over the wall in right for a 1-0 lead.

Dayton got the equalizer in the top of the third with a two out rally against Wizards starter Greg Burke (). Gerardo Cabrera picked up the first hit of the night for the Dragons with a single up the middle. Mike DeJesus kept the rally alive with an infield single to shortstop. Mike Griffin picked up the RBI on a chopper that hugged the first base line. The ball, which was hit off the end of Griffin's bat, hit the bag at first and popped up over the head of first baseman Daryl Jones, scoring Cabrera from second base.

The tie was short lived as the Dragons had a defensive meltdown in the bottom of the third inning. Gonzalez walked the lead off man Mike Sansoe. An errant pick off throw from the Dayton pitcher, moved Sansoe all the way to third base with none out in the frame. Venable lifted a fly ball to shallow right center field, called for by the right fielder Cabrera. The center fielder Szymanski cut in front of Cabrera making the catch in shallow right then firing towards the plate. The throw was 40 feet up the line at third, allowing Sansoe, who was not tagging to come home on the error for a 2-1 FW lead.

Venable did more damage in the bottom of the fifth inning, adding his second solo homer of the night, a two out blast against Sean Watson (ND). The third homer of the season against the Dragons for Venable hit the scoreboard in deep right center and increased the lead to 3-1.

Things got ugly for the Dragons with two down in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Watson recorded the first two outs of the inning before issuing a two out walk to Daryl Jones. Brandon Gottier followed up with a double and Watson's night was done. Logan Ondrusek (ND) came in and promptly walked the first hitter he faced Jodam Rivera, which loaded the bases. Josh Alley's two run single made it 5-1. Sansoe was hit by a pitch to load the bases for a second time. Venable added his third RBI of the night with a single to shallow center. A throwing error at the tail end of the play by DeJesus got the seventh Wizards run home.

Burke was outstanding on the evening mowing down the Dragons over 8.0 innings. The right hander scattered seven hits and struck out seven hitters on the night. He allowed two runs, both of which were earned.

Dayton continues the four game series at Memorial Stadium Tuesday night against Fort Wayne. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry all the action live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM; with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. RHP Carlos Fisher (10-5, 2.91 ERA) will make the start for Dayton. The Wizards will counter with RHP Stevie Delabar (8-7, 3.29 ERA). 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 August 14, 2006


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