Marte Hits Two Homers in Dragons 14-5 Win

Dragons 14, Peoria 5

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Dayton (R-H-E): 14-14-0; Peoria (R-H-E): 5-7-2

Win: Christian Roa (4-3); Loss: Inohan Paniagua (0-1); Save: None

HR: Dayton: Noelvi Marte, 2 (1st, 1 on base in fifth inning; 2nd, 1 on base in eighth inning); Austin Hendrick (8th, 2 on base in third inning); Garrett Wolforth (8th, 0 on base in seventh inning). HR: Peoria: None

Dayton, Ohio—Dayton’s Noelvi Marte blasted two home runs in his second game in the Cincinnati Reds organization and the Dragons matched a season high for runs in a game as they defeated the Peoria Chiefs 14-5 on Wednesday.

A crowd of 7,513 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Dragons hit four home runs as a team and collected 14 hits, battling back from a 3-0 deficit after one inning to win and even the series at one game apiece.

The Dragons improved to 10-20 in the second half (49-47 overall). Peoria fell to 14-18 in the second half (42-56 overall).

Game Recap: The Dragons trailed 3-1 when Austin Hendrick belted a two-out, three-run home run in the third inning to give Dayton a 4-3 advantage. It was Hendrick’s eighth homer with the Dragons and 15th overall this season in the Reds organization.

In the fifth, the Dragons exploded for five more runs, keyed by a two-run home run by Noelvi Marte, as Dayton extended their lead to 9-3. In the sixth, Hendrick added another run-scoring single to make it 10-3, and Garrett Wolforth hit a tape-measure home run to right in the seventh to put the Dragons ahead 11-3. Wolforth’s homer was his eighth of the year.

The Dragons added three more runs in the eighth. Brian Rey opened the inning with a triple, his fourth hit of the night. Tyler Callihan followed with a hit to bring in Rey, and Marte then blasted a long home run to left-center field to make it 14-3. The homer was the second of the night for Marte, the top prospect acquired last week in the trade that sent all-star pitcher Luis Castillo to Seattle.

The Dragons finished the night with 14 hits, one short of their season high. Rey was 4 for 5 with four runs scored. Marte and Hendick each drove in four runs. The Dragons were 5 for 12 with runners in scoring position.

Starting pitcher Christian Roa (4-3) earned the win, going five innings and allowing three runs on four hits with six walks and no strikeouts. Jake Gilbert followed Roa with three scoreless innings.

Up Next: The Dragons host Peoria at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. in the third game of the series. Thomas Farr (0-6, 5.74) will start for Dayton against Peoria’s Wilfredo Pereira (6-4, 3.86).

For ticket information, go 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.

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