Dragons Fall 7-1; Ludwick Looks Good in Rehab

Lansing 7, Dragons 1

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Lansing, Mich.-Dalton Pompey's grand slam home run highlighted a seven-run fifth inning as the Lansing Lugnuts defeated the Dayton Dragons 7-1 on Wednesday night. The Dragons fell to 17-15 in the second half as they dropped the first game of a three-game series. Lansing improved to 10-21.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick served as the Dragons designated hitter in the game on a Major League injury rehabilitation assignment. Ludwick's three plate appearances produced a pop out to third base, a walk, and a sharp single to left field. He looked comfortable in his first live game action since suffering a separated shoulder that required surgery on opening day on April 1st.

Dragons starting pitcher Ismael Guillon was dominant over the first four innings. He struck out six of the first nine batters he faced and did not allow a ball to leave the infield until the fourth. But in the fifth, the Lugnuts sent 11 batters to the plate, keyed by Pompey's one-out grand slam that gave Lansing a 5-0 lead. They added two more in the inning to make it 7-0.

The Dragons only run came on a seventh inning solo home run to right field off the bat of Jeff Gelalich, his first of the season.

The Dragons finished with six hits by six different players. Gelalich's home run was the only extra base hit. Seth Mejias-Brean was 1 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to eight straight games. Over his last 13 games, Mejias-Brean is 26 for 51, .510. His average for the year stands at .301.  

Guillon (4-7) left after four and one-third innings, allowing six hits and seven earned runs with two walks and seven strikeouts. He suffered his first loss since May 31.

The Dragons battle the Lugnuts on Thursday at 7:05 pm. Nick Travieso (4-3, 6.02) will start for Dayton against Lansing's Daniel Norris (0-5, 4.80). All Dragons games can be heard on WONE Radio (980 AM) and via the internet at daytondragons.com and wone.com.