Dragons roll to ninth straight win

The Dayton Dragons remained the only unbeaten team in professional baseball, improving to 9-0 on Wednesday night with a 5-2 victory over the Swing of the Quad Cities.

"We're playing well in all facets of the game," said Dragons manager Donnie Scott. "We're swinging the bats, we're pitching well and we're playing defense."

Right fielder Denis Phipps sparked Dayton by scoring twice and cutting down a runner at the plate to end a threat in the eighth inning.

"I haven't seen a team like this in a long time," said Scott. "We've got great chemistry, and these guys are solid. They all have a terrific work ethic."

Rafael Gonzalez (2-0), who has an 0.82 ERA, pitched six innings, allowing one earned run -- his first of the year -- and striking out three while walking two to earn the victory.

Jose Rojas pitched to one batter, striking out Isaias Garcia looking with two men on to end the game and notch his second save.

The Dragons scored all the runs they needed when they erupted for three in the first inning.

Drew Stubbs drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on Justin Turner's base hit and scored on Chris Valaika's double to center. Phipps ripped a double of his own to left, driving home Turner and Valaika.

Dayton added a run in the second on Turner's RBI single and another in the seventh on Logan Parker's base hit.

"We're on a roll right now," Scott noted. "I hope it doesn't stop."

The Swing (6-7) tried to rally in the eighth, but Phipps threw out Brandon Buckman trying to score from second on Mark Shorey's single to end the inning. Luke Gossett hit his first home run of the year leading off the ninth for the losing side.

Michael Schellinger (0-2) allowed four runs on six hits over six innings, striking out four and walking two in taking the loss.