Big Third Inning, Strong Pitching Carry Dragons to 8-2 Win over Great Lakes

DRAGONS 8, GREAT LAKES 2

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Dayton (R-H-E): 8-11-0; Great Lakes (R-H-E): 2-7-6

Win: Jordan Little (1-0); Loss: Jacob Frost (8-4); Save: None

HR: Dayton: John Michael Faile (5^th, 0 on base in sixth inning). HR: Great Lakes: Emil Morales (15^th, 0 on base in fourth inning); Gio Cueto (1^st, 0 on base in seventh inning).

Dayton, Ohio—Kyle Henley delivered a three-run triple while John Michael Faile had a home run and three runs batted in as the Dayton Dragons defeated the Great Lakes Loons 8-2 on Thursday night. The win for the Dragons was their first of the series after the Loons won the first two games.

Dragons pitchers Stharlin Torres, Jordan Little, Victor Diaz, and Trent Hodgdon combined to limit the Loons to two runs after they had scored 21 over the first two games of the series.

A crowd of 7,619 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

Recap: The Dragons took their first lead of the series in the bottom of the first inning when Julio Carreras doubled to the center field fence with one out and eventually scored on a base hit to right field by John Michael Faile.

The Dragons cashed in for five runs in the third inning as they sent 10 batters to the plate. Tyson Lewis started the rally with a base hit to left field and the next two hitters, Jacob Friend and Alfredo Alcantara, drew walks to load the bases with no outs. After Esmith Pineda struck out, Kyle Henley lined a three-run triple down the right field line to give the Dragons a 4-0 lead. Eric Becker followed with a ground ball to first base with Henley beating the throw to the plate to score the fourth run of the inning as Becker reached first base on the play. Becker then stole second, went to third on Carreras’ infield hit, and scored on a ground ball to second base off the bat of Ryan McCrystal to make it 6-0.

Great Lakes got one run back in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Emil Morales, his third straight game in the series with a homer. The Dragons responded with a solo home run by John Michael Faile in the sixth to give the Dragons a six-run lead again at 7-1.

Great Lakes’ Gio Cueto hit a home run to left field with one out in the seventh to make it 7-2. The Dragons closed out the scoring in the bottom of the seventh when Faile delivered a sacrifice fly to bring in Carreras from third and make it 8-2.

Dragons starting pitcher Stharlin Torres, in his Midwest League debut, tossed four and one-third innings, allowing one run on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Reliever Jordan Little (1-0) pitched out of a tough jam in the fifth when he came in from the bullpen with one out and runners at second and third. Little got back-to-back strikeouts to strand both runners. Little worked two innings, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He was credited with the win.

Victor Diaz replaced Little in the seventh and like his predecessor, immediately worked out of a jam. He entered with two on and one out and got a line out and a strikeout to strand both runners. Diaz retired all five batters he faced in his outing and gave way to Trent Hodgdon, who tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Dragons finished the night with 11 hits. Faile had two hits including his home run and three runs batted in. He explained his success.

"Just seeing the ball well, sticking to my process,” said Faile. “Doing the work that I got to get done. The results are happening, they weren't earlier in the year. I try not to be result-oriented and just keep doing what I'm doing. Show up every day and the success will come."

Becker, the Reds second round pick last month out of Virginia, had two hits including a double in his professional debut. He also stole a base. Carreras and Alcantara each had two hits including a double as well.

Great Lakes committed six errors in the game, their highest total in four years. The Dragons left 15 runners on base, a season high in that category.

Up Next: The Dragons (17-20, 56-47) host the Loons (21-16, 57-44) in the fourth game of the six-game series on Friday night at 7:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Right-handed pitcher Edgar Colon just called up from Single-A Daytona, will make his first start for the Dragons. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: Friday night’s Dragons game will be televised “over-the-air” in the Dayton market on Dayton’s CW (Channel 26; Spectrum Cable channels 13 and 1013). 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.