Mejias-Brean Belts Walk-Off Grand Slam, Dragons Win 7-6

Dragons 7, Beloit 6

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Dayton, Ohio-Seth Mejias-Brean hit a game-ending grand slam home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Dayton Dragons to a dramatic 7-6 victory over the Beloit Snappers on Thursday night. The game was the first Dragons home game to end with a home run since Donald Lutz belted a tie-breaking solo homer in the bottom of the 10th inning on August 30, 2011. It was the first walk-off grand slam for the Dragons since at least 2007.  

Beloit broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the top of the ninth inning, getting a two-out, three-run triple from Nick Rickles to make it 6-3.

The Dragons winning rally began with a lead-off walk to Humberto Valor. After Beau Amaral grounded out, Sammy Diaz and Jesse Winker both walked to load the bases. Beloit made a pitching change as Nolan Sanburn replaced Austin House. Mejias-Brean then drilled a 2-1 pitch onto the lawn section beyond the fence in right-center field for a grand slam homer to end the game as the fans, and the Dragons players, went wild in celebration.

The game-winner was Mejias-Brean's fourth home run of the season and the third grand slam of the year for the Dragons. It was also the Dragons third "walk-off" win of the season and their first since July 8 when Mejias-Brean's RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning broke a 3-3 tie.

Mejias-Brean drove in six runs in the game. In addition to his grand slam in the ninth, he also contributed a run-scoring double in the first and an RBI single in the seventh that tied the game at 3-3.

Dayton reliever Joel Bender (3-2) worked two innings and was credited with the win. He allowed three runs on three hits with two walks. 

The Dragons collected nine hits. Mejias-Brean was 3 for 5. Daniel Pigott had two doubles and scored a run. Tanner Rahier had an RBI single. 

The Dragons improved to 14-13 in the second half with the win while Beloit fell to 17-9.

The Dragons host the Snappers on Friday at 7:05 p.m. in the rubber match of a three-game series. Nick Travieso (3-3, 6.37), the Reds 2012 first round draft pick, will start for Dayton against Beloit's Vincent Voiro (5-3, 3.61). The game will be televised on WHIO digital channel 7.2 and Time Warner Cable channels 23 and 372. The Dragons will open a new three-game series at Fifth Third Field against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. All Dragons games can be heard on WONE Radio (980 AM) and via the internet at daytondragons.com and wone.com.