Dragons Get Outstanding Pitching in 3-2 Win Over Fort Wayne, Move into Tie for First Place

Dragons 3, Fort Wayne 2

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Dayton (R-H-E): 3-6-2; Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 2-7-0

Win: Brody Jessee (2-0); Loss: Jagger Haynes (0-1); Save: Brock Bell (1)

HR: Dayton: None Fort Wayne: None

Dayton, Ohio—Four Dayton pitchers combined to scatter seven hits while striking out 14 and Hector Rodriguez provided a two-run single as the Dragons defeated the Fort Wayne TinCaps 3-2 on Wednesday night. The win lifted the Dragons into a first place tie with Great Lakes in the Midwest League’s East Division.

A crowd of 7,477 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Dragons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ethan O’Donnell walked to start the rally and Sal Stewart reached on an infield single. After a double steal by O’Donnell and Stewart, Hector Rodriguez singled to right field to drive in both runners and give the Dragons an early lead.

The Dragons added another run in the second inning. Logan Tanner walked to start the inning and after back-to-back strikeouts, Ethan O’Donnell also drew a walk. Stewart then singled to right to drive in Tanner from second to make it 3-0.

Fort Wayne scored two runs in the top of the third to make it 3-2, but Dragons pitchers were able to shutout the TinCaps over the remainder of the night despite numerous scoring chances. Fort Wayne stranded 13 runners in the game and went 3 for 18 with runners in scoring position.

Dragons starting pitcher Johnathan Harmon worked the first four and one-third innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Luis Mey relieved Harmon with one out in the fifth and two men on base and worked out of the jam. In the sixth, Mey broke the Day Air Ballpark record when he fired a 103 mph fastball. The previous record of 102 was set by Hunter Greene in 2018. Mey walked three batters in the sixth inning and was replaced with two outs by Brody Jessee, who got a strikeout to strand three.

Jessee tossed scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth before allowing a lead-off walk in the ninth, and then throwing a wild pitch that moved the tying run to second base with no outs. Jessee struck out the next two, giving him eight strikeouts in the game over three innings, a Dragons season high for most strikeouts in a game. With two outs, Homer Bush Jr. reached on an infield single to move the lead runner to third and Jessee had reached his pitch limit, replaced by Brock Bell after throwing 49 pitches in the game. Bell got an infield groundout to end the game and earn the save. Jessee (2-0) was credited with the win.

"I just liked that we attacked the zone,” said Jessee. “Our plan was always to fill up the zone with everything and give it our all. Play every game like it's a championship game and that's what we came out and did. I think that's what our hitters did. I think that's what our defense did. That's what Brock did picking us up with the last out."

"Just got to keep playing hard everyday. Just keep doing the same things we've been doing. Same routine. Same mentality. It's working. We're going to stick with it. We have the mentality of being winners. We have a really good team. We're really talented. We've just got to stay on top of doing our work every day. Staying with our routine of throwing. Staying on top of what our intent is on all of our pitches. And with hitters it's just sticking with our game plan at the plate."

The Dragons had six hits. Sal Stewart was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. Victor Acosta and Logan Tanner each had a triple off the fence for Dayton.

Up Next: The Dragons (6-5) host Fort Wayne (4-6) on Thursday night at 7:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark in the third game of the six-game home series. Kevin Abel (0-0, 2.25) will start for Dayton against Fort Wayne’s Miguel Cienfuegos (1-1, 0.00). 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.