Whitecaps Edge Dragons 3-2 in Series Opener at West Michigan

West Michigan 3, Dragons 2

Click here for the box score

West Michigan (R-H-E): 3-8-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-4-1

Win: Carlos Guzman (5-5); Loss: Evan Kravetz (4-5); Save: Elvis Alvarado (7)

HR: Dayton: Austin Hendrick (7th, 1 on base in sixth inning). HR: West Michigan: None

Grand Rapids, Mich.—Five West Michigan pitchers combined to allow only four hits as the Whitecaps edged the Dayton Dragons 3-2 on Tuesday night. The game was the start to a six-game series in West Michigan.

The Dragons fell to 6-17 in the second half with the loss (45-44 overall). West Michigan, the division leader, improved to 19-6 in the second half (50-41 overall).

Game Recap: West Michigan scored two runs in the third inning and one more in the fifth to build a 3-0 lead, and held off a Dragons comeback bid. Dayton pulled to within a run in the sixth on a two-out, two-run home run by Austin Hendrick to make it 3-2. The homer was Hendrick’s seventh with the Dragons and 14th overall in the Reds organization in 2022.

But the Dragons had only one more hit over the final three innings, a ninth inning two-out single by Quincy McAfee. With McAfee at first representing the tying run, Tyler Callihan battled through a lengthy at-bat before lining out to left-center field to end the game.

Dragons starting pitcher Evan Kravetz (4-5) was charged with the loss. Kravetz worked four innings, allowing five hits and two runs with one walk and three strikeouts. Kravetz was victimized by a couple of defensive miscues during his time on the mound, though both runs against him were scored as earned.

Jake Gilbert followed Kravetz and allowed one run in two innings of relief. He surrendered two hits and three walks without a strikeout. Donovan Benoit also worked two innings, allowing just one base runner and no runs with four strikeouts.

The Dragons four hits came from four different hitters. The home run by Hendrick and a double by Callihan were the Dragons only extra base hits. They were 0 for 3 with men in scoring position.

Notes: Prior to the game, the Dragons placed first baseman Ruben Ibarra on the injured list with a broken thumb suffered on a defensive play on Saturday night. Catcher Daniel Vellojin was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga. The Dragons received four players including outfielder Brian Rey, infielder Steven Leyton, catcher Michael Trautwein, and relief pitcher Jayvien Sandridge.

Up Next: The Dragons play at West Michigan again on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. Miguel Medrano (1-2, 6.05) will start for Dayton against West Michigan’s Ty Madden (4-4, 2.92).

The Dragons return home to Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District on Tuesday, August 2 when they host the Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) in the start of a six-game series. For ticket information, go 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.

#