Strong Pitching Keys Dragons Win

Dragons 4, Great Lakes 2
                                                
Dayton (R-H-E): 4-7-3
Great Lakes (R-H-E): 2-6-2
Win: Connor Bennett (1-1)
Loss: Ricardo Hernandez (0-1)
Save: John Ghyzel (16)
HR: Dayton: None
HR: Great Lakes: None
Midland, Mich.-Four Dayton pitchers combined to allow just six hits and no earned runs as the Dragons came from behind to defeat the Great Lakes Loons 4-2 in the start of a four-game series on Friday night. The win lifted the Dragons back to the .500 mark in the second half at 8-8.
Great Lakes took advantage of two Dayton errors in the fourth inning to score two unearned runs and take a 2-0 lead. The Dragons started back in the fifth when Alejo Lopez tripled to start the inning and scored on a two-out single to center field by Jose Garcia to make it 2-1.
The Dragons took the lead in the seventh. Raul Wallace, who had already made two sparking defensive plays in right field, singled to center to start the inning and Garcia walked. Lorenzo Cedrola got a good bunt down toward third base and when the throw to first forced Brock Carpenter to reach toward Cedrola, the ball came out of his glove and rolled away. Wallace scored on the play to tie the game and Garcia went to third. Jeter Downs then singled to left field to bring in Garcia and make it 3-2.
The Dragons added a run in the top of the ninth when Garcia singled, went from first to third on a wild pick-off throw, and scored on a passed ball to extend the Dragons lead to 4-2.
John Ghyzel pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth inning, striking out the last two batters, for his league-leading 16th save. The victory went to Connor Bennett (1-1), the second of four Dayton pitchers. He worked two scoreless innings and did not allow a hit while striking out two and walking one.

Dragons starting pitcher Austin Orewiler, making just his second start of the year after 18 relief appearances, worked the first four innings, allowing two unearned runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. The Dragons also got a strong outing from Ryan Nutof, who pitched the seventh and eighth innings, allowing two hits but no runs with no walks and two strikeouts.
The Dragons finished with seven hits on the night. Garcia led the way, going 2 for 4 with an RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. Lopez had a triple and two walks.
The Dragons have won eight of their last 12 games. They can climb above the .500 mark for the first time in the second half with a win on Saturday.
Notes: The Dragons received left-handed relief pitcher Andy Cox from Billings on Friday and placed left-handed reliever Jesse Adams on the disabled list with a hip injury that is expected to require surgery.
Up Next: The Dragons (8-8, 39-45) battle the Loons (1-15, 25-59) in the second game of the series on Saturday night at 7:05. Dayton's Hunter Greene (3-6, 4.18) will be opposed by Loons starter Max Gamboa (2-4, 4.56).
The next Dragons home game is Wednesday, July 11 against the Quad Cities River Bandits in the start to a six-game home stand.
For Dragons 2018 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287.
Game Broadcast: All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on Fox Sports 980 WONE and on the internet at wone.com. Games are also available on the Dayton Dragons mobile app.