Cubs Erase Early Dragons Lead, Top Dayton 7-2

South Bend, Ind.-South Bend's Delvin Zinn belted two home runs to lead the Cubs to a 7-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons in the first game of a four-game set in Indiana. The loss was the sixth in the last seven games for Dayton.

The Dragons took a brief lead in the top of the fourth inning when Juan Martinez walked and scored on a double to left-center field by Mariel Bautista. A balk moved Bautista to third and he scored on a sacrifice fly by new Dragon Brian Rey to make it 2-0. South Bend responded with three runs in the bottom of the same inning to take a 3-2 lead.
Zinn hit his first homer of the night, and first of the season, in the fifth to extend the Cubs lead to 4-2. South Bend added single runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to close out the scoring. Zinn's second home run was a solo shot in the seventh. The Cubs scored in each of their final five offensive innings of the game.
The Dragons struggle to create scoring opportunities after the fourth inning, advancing only two runners as far as second base. But they went 0 for 6 on the night with runners in scoring position and could not capitalize on their limited chances.
The Dragons finished the night with five hits. Mariel Bautista was the Dayton bright spot. He went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Shard Munroe and Juan Martinez each had one hit and two walks for the Dragons.
Dragons starting pitcher James Marinan left the game after a visit to the mound by the trainer in the fifth inning. Marinan was charged with the loss as his record fell to 1-5. He worked four and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Eduardo Salazar was the only other pitcher to see action for Dayton. He tossed three and one-third innings, the longest relief stint of the year for any Dragons pitcher. Salazar allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out one.
Notes:  Before the game on Thursday, Dragons first baseman Bren Spillane and second baseman Jonathan Willems were reassigned to extended spring training. Second baseman Brian Rey and outfielder Zeek White were promoted to Dayton from extended spring training.
Up Next:  The Dragons (13-26) battle the Cubs (22-16) on Friday at 7:35 p.m. in the second game of a four-game series at Four Winds Field. Lyon Richardson (0-4, 4.99) will start for Dayton against Faustino Carrera (3-2, 3.18). The next home game for the Dragons is Monday, May 20 against the Lake County Captains.
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.