MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Yankees Win Thriller 3-0, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Published on September 4, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Battle Creek, MI– With three games to play in the Midwest League regular season, the Battle Creek Yankees (37-31, 70-67) were in a must win situation against the Dayton Dragons (20-48, 47-91) Saturday night at C.O. Brown Stadium. The Yankees and Fort Wayne Wizards were in a dead heat for a MWL wild card spot with the Wizards holding the tie breaker. The Yankees took care of business snapping a 0-0 tie, with a three run bottom of the seventh inning on route to a 3-0 win over the Dragons.

Frankie Keller (ND) of the Dragons was due for a quality start and he delivered his best outing of the season Saturday tossing 5.0 shutout innings against the Yankees, allowing only one runner as far as third base. Keller scattered four hits, struck out four and walked three in picking up the no decision in his final start in 2004.

Brandon Harmsen (ND) put up zeros on the scoreboard as well, blanking the Dragons for 6.1 innings until he was replaced by Paul Thorp (W, 2-4), with one down in the seventh. Harmsen allowed six hits, striking out and walking one hitter on the night. During his stint on the mound, the Dragons only had one runner reach third base.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning, the second inning of work on the night for Dayton reliever Phillip Ellison (L, 0-1). Ellison was razor sharp in the sixth inning, his first on the mound, setting the Yankees down in order. The seventh was another story. Jason Van Meetren led off the inning with a single to right and was wild pitched to second by Ellison. After a walk to Willie Vasquez, Battle Creek had runners at first and second with none down. Tommy Rojas moved the runners up with a SAC bunt and a walk to Rafael Rodriguez loaded the bases for Nick Walsh. Walsh dumped a single into left for a 1-0 Yankees lead. Ellison walked in a second run and another scored on a fielder's choice ground ball giving the Yankees a 3-0 advantage.

Thorp blanked the Dragons in the eighth setting the Miami Valley's team down one, two, three. In the ninth inning, Mike Martinez (S, 1) came in for the save, allowing only a two out single to Jorge Mejia, to pick up his first save of the year.

The Dragons and Yankees continue the four game series at C.O. Brown Stadium on Sunday afternoon with the third game of the series. ESPN Radio 1410 Wing AM will carry the game live beginning with the pre game show at 1:30 PM. The first pitch on Wednesday is scheduled for 2:00 PM. LHP Joe Wilson will get the start for Dayton, while Battle Creek is scheduled to send RHP Josh Smith to the mound.

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Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2004


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