Whitecaps Score 2 in 9th, Beat Dragons 3-2

Grand Rapids, Mich.-The West Michigan Whitecaps scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to come from behind and defeat the Dayton Dragons 3-2 on Friday night. The game was the start of a four-game series between the clubs.

The Dragons held a 2-0 lead going to the bottom of the eighth inning before West Michigan scored once in the eighth and then took advantage of some defensive mistakes in the bottom of the ninth to plate two more runs and win the game.

The Dragons did not have a hit against West Michigan starting pitcher Trent Szkutnik until the seventh inning, but their first hit gave them the lead. With one out in the top of the seventh and the game still scoreless, Dayton's Hector Vargas reached on a throwing error, and Kevin Garcia drew a walk to move Vargas to second. James Vasquez followed with a line drive through the middle that brought in Vargas to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead.

After a 44 minute rain delay, the Dragons scored again in the eighth to extend their lead to 2-0. Mitch Trees doubled, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Zack Shields' sacrifice fly.

The Whitecaps scored a run against Dragons reliever Mike Sullivan in the bottom of the eighth before Jeremy Kivel came on to record a strikeout to strand the tying run at second base as the Dragons held onto a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kivel got West Michigan's first hitter, Shane Zeile, to swing and miss at strike three, but the ball got past Dragons catcher Mitch Trees as Zeile reached first base safely. It was ruled a wild pitch. The next batter, Jose Azocar, hit a bouncer to the left of Dragons shortstop Luis Gonzalez, who glided toward the ball with his momentum carrying him to the second base bag on the way to turning a double play. But Gonzalez misplayed the ball and it bounced past his glove into center field, leaving runners at first and second with no outs. The play was ruled a base hit. Arvicent Perez then bunted to the left side. Dragons third baseman Brantley Bell picked up the bunt and fired toward third in hopes of getting the lead runner. But Bell's throw was wild and went down the left field line to the bullpen area as two runs scored, ending the game.

Dragons starting pitcher Austin Orewiler was outstanding but not involved in the decision. He worked seven shutout innings, allowing five hits with one walk and five strikeouts. It was the second straight outing in which Orewiler worked seven scoresless frames.

The Dragons finished with four hits, all in the final three innings.

The Dragons (13-35) meet the Whitecaps (25-19) on Saturday night at 7:00 in the second game of the series. Jacob Constante (1-4, 5.92) will start for Dayton against West Michigan's Beau Burrows (2-3, 2.70). 

All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on Fox Sports 980 WONE and on the internet at wone.com. Games are also available on the Dayton Dragons mobile app.