6-Run 6th Inning Lifts Lansing Past Dragons on Thursday

Lansing 9, Dragons 4

Click here for the box score

Lansing (R-H-E): 9-12-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 4-5-2

Win: Jacob Watters (2-0); Loss: Joseph Menefee (0-2); Save: None

HR: Dayton: None HR: Lansing: None

Lansing, Mich.—The Lansing Lugnuts overcame a 4-1 deficit with six runs in the sixth inning and defeated the Dayton Dragons 9-4 on Thursday night. The Lugnuts have won two of the first three games in the series with the Dragons.

Two costly errors by the Dragons in the sixth inning paved the way to the biggest inning of the season by a Dayton opponent. The Lugnuts collected four hits in the inning and drew two walks as part of the six-run frame.

For the third straight game in the series, the Dragons scored in the top of the first inning. With one out in the inning, Ethan O’Donnell reached on an infield single, and Sal Stewart walked. Cam Collier then drilled a double to the fence in right field to drive in both O’Donnell and Stewart to make it 2-0. Lansing scored a single run against Dayton starting pitcher Kevin Abel in the bottom of the first.

The Dragons got their offense going again in the fourth when Collier opened the inning with an opposite field double over the head of the left fielder. Carlos Jorge walked with one out and Cade Hunter was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Victor Acosta then bounced one back to the pitcher, but the ball was misplayed for an error as Collier scored to make it 3-1. Yan Contreras then lined out hard to center field for a sacrifice fly to bring in Jorge and give the Dragons a 4-1 lead.

Abel worked five good innings, allowing just one run on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.

The Dragons went to the bullpen in the sixth as reliever Joseph Menefee replaced Abel. Menefee (0-2) allowed a lead-off double and a pair of walks as Lansing loaded the bases with one out. The Dragons committed two costly errors including a throwing error by Collier from third base on a potential inning-ending double play ball, and a dropped fly ball in left field by Contreras, as Lansing scored six runs in the inning to take a 7-4 lead. The Lugnuts added two more in the eighth against Dragons reliever Luis Mey.

The Dragons finished with five hits. Collier led the way with two doubles, two runs batted in, and a run scored.

Up Next: The Dragons (7-11) meet the Lugnuts (9-9) in Lansing on Friday night at 6:05 pm in the fourth game of the six-game series. Rhett Lowder (0-0, 2.70) will start for Dayton against Lansing’s Blaze Pontes (0-1, 6.52).

The next Dragons home game is Tuesday, April 30 against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers affiliate) at 7:05 pm. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.