August 8, 2012

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Dayton (R-H-E): 4-10-2
Lansing (R-H-E): 2-10-1

WP: Dan Jensen (6-9)
LP: Brandon Berl (2-5)
Sv: El'Hajj Muhammad (2)

HR: Dayton: None
HR: Lansing: None

Lansing, Mich.-Kyle Waldrop's two-run single with two outs in the top of the 10th inning broke a 2-2 tie and lifted the Dayton Dragons to a 4-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts on Wednesday night. The game marked the second straight extra inning contest for the Dragons, who improved to 3-2 on their current seven-game road trip.

Dayton's Yovan Gonzalez walked to begin the winning rally. Gonzalez advanced to second on Jefry Sierra's ground out with two outs. After the Lugnuts intentionally walked Joe Terry, Yorman Rodriguez reached on an infield single to load the bases. Waldrop followed with a looping liner to center field that fell in front of Lansing's Michael Crouse as two runs scored to make it 4-2.

Dayton reliever El'Hajj Muhammad entered the game to pitch the bottom of the 10th. He allowed a lead-off single to Crouse, but then got Andy Fermin to ground into a double play. Chris Hawkins reached on an error by Dragons third baseman Junior Arias, but K.C. Hobson grounded out to shortstop on a nice backhanded play by Juan Perez to end the game.

After a tough loss in 10 innings Tuesday in a game that ended at 11:55 p.m., the Dragons jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning, getting back-to-back two-out doubles from Terry and Rodriguez to take a 1-0 lead. Lansing tied the game with an unearned run in the second.

Dayton jumped back ahead in the fourth when Waldrop singled to center with two outs and advanced the second on the play when the ball was bobbled. Sean Buckley then hit a ground ball to the right of shortstop Shane Opitz. Opitz got to the ball but it bounced off his glove and Waldrop scored from second on Buckley's infield single to make it 2-1. Lansing came back with a run in the sixth to tie the game at 2-2.

Dragons starting pitcher Stalin Gerson worked six innings and provided his fourth straight excellent start. He allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) with one walk and seven strikeouts. He left the game with the score tied at 2-2. Dan Jensen (6-9) replaced Gerson to start the seventh and worked three scoreless innings to earn the win. Jensen allowed five hits with no walks or strikeouts and pitched out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth when the Lugnuts collected three hits in the inning. Dragons pitchers combined to allow only one walk in the game.

The Dragons picked up 10 hits. Waldrop was 3 for 5 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Rodriguez had two hits and an RBI. The Dragons were 4 for 6 as a team with runners in scoring position.

The Dragons (19-26) battle the Lugnuts (25-20) again on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of the series (Radio: WONE 980 AM). Jacob Johnson (1-4, 5.32) will start for the Dragons against Lansing's Blake McFarland (5-3, 4.42). The series will conclude on Friday. The next home game is Saturday, August 11 at Fifth Third Field against the Fort Wayne TinCaps.