Lowder is Exceptional but Dragons Fall to Lansing, 1-0 on Opening Night

Lansing 1, Dragons 0

Click here for the box score

Lansing (R-H-E): 1-6-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 0-4-1

Win: James Gonzalez (1-0); Loss: Myles Gayman (0-1); Save: Colton Johnson (1)

HR: Dayton: None HR: Lansing: None

Dayton, Ohio—Lansing starting pitcher James Gonzalez combined with two relievers on a four-hit shutout as the Lugnuts defeated the Dayton Dragons 1-0 on Friday night. The contest was the opening game of the 2024 season for both teams.

A crowd of 8,328 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

Dayton starting pitcher Rhett Lowder, the Reds number one draft pick in 2023, made his professional debut. Lowder worked four shutout innings, allowing only one ball to leave the infield. He gave up two hits and one walk while striking out five.

Cincinnati Reds reliever Ian Gibaut made an injury rehabilitation assignment in the game, throwing the fifth inning. Gibaut worked out of a jam to toss a scoreless frame, striking out three. He allowed one hit and one walk.

Lansing scored the only run of the game in the sixth inning when Cameron Masterman delivered a two-out double to right field to drive in Will Simpson from second base against Dayton reliever Myles Gayman (0-1).

The Dragons had an excellent chance to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Ruben Ibarra reached on catcher’s interference with one out and Leo Balcazar followed with a double to put runners at second and third. But Carlos Jorge and Sal Stewart were both strikeout victims as the Dragons stranded two men in scoring position.

In the bottom of the ninth, the first two Dayton batters, Balcazar and Jorge, reached on singles. Dayton eventually pulled off a double steal with two outs, but Jay Allen II grounded out to second base to end the game.

Gayman was charged with the loss. He worked three innings and allowed two hits and the game’s only run. He walked one and struck out three.

Balcazar had two hits including a double to lead the Dayton offense.

Notes: Dayton center fielder Carlos Jorge left the game for a pinch runner in the bottom of the ninth inning after stealing third base. Jorge limped off the field with an apparent leg injury.

Up Next: The Dragons (0-1) host Lansing (1-0) in the second game of the 2024 season on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Jared Lyons will make his first start at the High-A level for the Dragons. 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.