Dayton, Ohio-Pabel Manzanero's two-run double broke a 1-1 tie and reliever Connor Bennett pitched out of a ninth inning jam as the Dayton Dragons edged the Fort Wayne TinCaps 3-2 on Monday night. A crowd of 7,802 saw the Dragons earn their eight straight victory and complete a sweep of
Dayton, Ohio-Pabel Manzanero's two-run double broke a 1-1 tie and reliever Connor Bennett pitched out of a ninth inning jam as the Dayton Dragons edged the Fort Wayne TinCaps 3-2 on Monday night. A crowd of 7,802 saw the Dragons earn their eight straight victory and complete a sweep of the four-game series with Fort Wayne.
The Dragons took a 3-2 lead to the ninth inning with reliever Adrian Rodriguez on the mound. Fort Wayne's Luis Roman opened the inning with a high chopper to shortstop and beat the throw for an infield single to put the tying run on base. Rodriguez struck out Kelvin Melean swinging on a pitch in the dirt for the first out, but pinch runner Aldemar Burgos advanced to second on the play on a wild pitch. Connor Bennett replaced Rodriguez and struck out Jawuan Harris looking for the second out. With the crowd at Fifth Third Field roaring, Bennett got Tucupita Marcano to ground out to second baseman Randy Ventura to end the game. Bennett was credited with his seventh save.
The Dragons eight-game winning streak is their longest since they won nine straight games, April 9-20, 2018.
Fort Wayne scored one run in the top of the fifth inning before the Dragons responded with three in the sixth to take the lead. The Dayton rally began with a lead-off single by Ventura, who went to second base on a wild pick-off attempt. Michael Siani singled off the glove of the second baseman to bring in Ventura and tie the game. Siani stole second and went to third on an error on the same play. Miles Gordon then hit a bouncer to second base as Siani tried to score. Fort Wayne's Tucupita Marcano threw home as Siani came in with a head first slide, touching home plate with his outstretched hand. Siani was called out, prompting an angry response from Dragons manager Luis Bolivar, and a loud chorus of boos from the crowd at Fifth Third Field. Gordon was safe at first on the fielder's choice. Brian Rey followed with a single to left field to advance Gordon to second, and Pabel Manzanero ripped a double to the gap in right-center to drive in both Gordon and Rey to give the Dragons a 3-1 lead. Fort Wayne's Michael Curry hit a long home run in the eighth off Rodriguez to pull the TinCaps to within a run at 3-2.
Dragons starting pitcher Jared Solomon was removed from the game after two scoreless innings due to shoulder discomfort. He was replaced by Alexis Diaz, who tossed three innings, allowing one run on one hit with two walks and four strikeouts. Moises Nova (1-1) replaced Diaz to start the sixth and fired two strong, scoreless innings, striking out five without allowing a hit to qualify for the win. He walked one batter. Rodriguez entered the game to start the eighth inning and last one and one-third innings, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts.
The Dragons finished the night with eight hits. Siani was 2 for 4 with a run batted in. He stole his 19th base of the season and his ninth in the month of June. Ventura also had two hits and extended his hitting streak to six straight games. Gordon was 0 for 4 to snap his seven-game hitting streak.
Notes: The Dragons have stolen 18 bases in their last seven games. Siani and Gordon are a combined 15 for 15 in the month of June…Dragons pitchers combined to strike out 15 batters…Bennett has earned a win or save in each of his last five appearances.
Up Next: The Dragons (25-39) remain home at Fifth Third Field to open a new three-game series against the West Michigan Whitecaps (20-44) on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. Jhon De Jesus (1-5, 5.24) will start for the Dragons against Robbie Welhaf (2-1, 1.33). The series will continue through Thursday. West Michigan will start the set with a six-game losing streak.
On the Air: All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on Fox Sports 980 WONE AM. 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.
All Saturday and Sunday home games are televised on Dayton's CW (channel 26; Spectrum cable channels 13 and 1013).
For Dragons 2019 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287.
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