Dragons snap skid, record first win of second half

Four Dayton pitchers combined to allow five hits as the Dragons defeated the Great Lakes Loons 4-1 on Monday night as the Dragons earned their first win of the second half after four straight losses.

The Dragons scored single runs in each of the first three innings to jump out to an early lead. In the bottom of the first, Jeter Downs walked with one out, went from first to third on Andy Sugilio’s single to right, and scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Leandro Santana to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead. In the second, J.D. Williams walked to start the inning, stole second, and scored on Mark Kolozsvary’s double to left to make it 2-0.

Great Lakes scored one run in the top of the third, but the Dragons responded in the bottom of the inning to again lead by two runs. With two outs, Santana lined a single to left and scored from first on Malik Collymore’s double to the left field fence as the Dragons extended their lead to 3-1.

The Dragons closed out the scoring in the eighth when Collymore was hit by a pitch with two outs, stole second, and scored on Williams’ single to make it 4-1.

Dragons starting pitcher Adrian Rodriguez (4-4) worked six innings to earn the win. He allowed one run on four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Rodriguez retired nine straight batters beginning with the final batter in the third inning and continuing through the first two hitters in the sixth. His eight strikeouts matched the Dragons season high.

The Dragons bullpen combined for three scoreless innings. Wendolyn Bautista replaced Rodriguez and pitched a scoreless seventh inning, allowing a hit with two strikeouts. Cory Thompson worked the eighth and John Ghyzel tossed a perfect ninth inning, striking out two to earn his 13th save, which moved him back into a tie for the Midwest League lead. Dragons pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts in the game, matching a team season high.

The Dragons totaled eight hits. Williams was 2 for 4 with a run batted in, a run scored, and a stolen base. Sugilio had two hits and is now 7 for 21 (.333) in the second half. Collymore was 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

About the Author