Ruiz Hits First Career Home Run as Dragons Win at Fort Wayne, 9-6

DRAGONS 9, FORT WAYNE 6

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Dayton (R-H-E): 9-11-0; Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 6-10-1

Win: David Lorduy (1-2); Loss: Carlos Medina (1-2); Save: Jordan Little (1)

HR: Dayton: Damian Ruiz (1st, 1 on base in second inning). HR: Fort Wayne: Kasen Wells (2nd, 1 on base in second inning).

Fort Wayne, Ind.—Damian Ruiz connected on his first professional home run and drove in three runs to lead the Dayton Dragons to a 9-6 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Tuesday night. The game was the opener to a six-game series in Fort Wayne.

Recap: The teams combined for nine runs over the first three innings. Fort Wayne scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead before the Dragons tied the score in the top of the second, getting a double by Eric Becker and a two-run home run by Damian Ruiz, his first homer in just his third game.

After Fort Wayne scored two runs in the bottom of the second to regain the lead, the Dragons tied the game again in the top of the third. After Esmith Pineda opened the inning by reaching on an error, Justin Lebron ripped a double to the left field fence to bring him home and make it 4-3. Lebron stole third and scored on John Michael Faile’s double to tie the score at 4-4. Fort Wayne scored one run in the bottom of the third to retake the lead at 5-4.

In the fifth inning, the Dragons took the lead for good. With one out, Ty Doucette lined a hit to center and went to third on Tyson Lewis’ double to left-center. Faile was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Becker was plunked to force in the tying run. With two outs and the bases still loaded, Ruiz drew a four-pitch walk to force in Lewis and give the Dragons a 6-5 lead.

Dayton added three more runs in the seventh. Faile doubled and eventually scored on a pair of wild pitches. Ryan McCrystal added a run-scoring single, and Jack Lausch drilled a double off the fence in left-center field to bring in the third run of the inning and give the Dragons a 9-5 lead. Fort Wayne closed out the scoring with a run in the eighth but they were retired in order in the ninth as reliever Jordan Little closed it out for the save.

Dayton collected 11 hits including six extra base hits and four hits with runners in scoring position. Faile and Lewis each had two doubles. Lausch had two hits including a double. Eight of the nine Dragons starters had at least one hit.

It was a good night for the Dayton bullpen. Relievers Graham Osman, David Lorduy, and Jordan Little combined to go five innings and allow only two hits and one run.

Up Next: The Dragons (22-31, 61-58) continue the six-game series in Fort Wayne on Wednesday night at 6:35 with game two of the set against the TinCaps (23-30, 50-69). Edgar Colon (0-1, 4.50) will start for the Dragons.

The next Dragons home game is Tuesday, September 1 at 7:05 pm against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: 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.