DRAGONS 9, QUAD CITIES 5
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Dayton (R-H-E): 9-8-1; Quad Cities (R-H-E): 5-7-0
Win: Victor Diaz (3-0); Loss: Nick Conte (0-2); Save: None
HR: Dayton: Peyton Stovall (10th, 0 on base in first inning); Marcus Smith (5th, 1 on base in seventh inning). HR: Quad Cities: Chris Brito (3rd, 2 on base in first inning); Tyriq Kemp (9th, 1 on base in first inning).
Davenport, Iowa—The Dayton Dragons overcame an early 5-1 deficit and scored five runs in the eighth inning to take the lead, defeating the Quad Cities River Bandits 9-5 on Sunday afternoon. Quad Cities won four-of-six games in the series in Davenport, Iowa.
The game marked the third time in 2026 that the Dragons were able to erase a deficit of at least four runs to come from behind and win.
The Dragons hit two home runs in the game, giving them at least one home run in 14 straight games, one short of their club record set earlier this season.
Recap: Dayton lead-off batter Peyton Stovall hit the second pitch of the game for a home run to right field, his 10th homer of the year, to give the Dragons a quick lead. But Quad Cities responded with five runs in the bottom of the first, hitting two home runs in the inning to take a 5-1 lead. The Dragons got one run back in the second inning when Marcus Smith tripled off the center field fence and scored on Jacob Friend’s groundout to make it 5-2.
The Dragons bullpen had an outstanding day and shutdown the River Bandits over the rest of the day. Stephen Quigley worked three and one-third innings, allowing one hit and one run, Brady Afthim tossed two perfect innings as the Dragons went to the seventh inning still trailing 5-2.
In the top of the seventh, Smith belted a two-run home run to right field to pull the Dragons to within a run at 5-4. It was Smith’s fifth homer with the Dragons in only his 23rd game. Victor Diaz pitched a scoreless bottom of the seventh and the Dragons came to bat in the top of the eighth still trailing by only one run.
Mason Neville led off the Dayton eighth with a single to left field and Stovall drew a walk. After Ryan McCrystal walked to load the bases with no outs, Julio Carreras lined a single to left field to drive in Neville and tie the game at 5-5. Stovall scored on a wild pitch to give Dayton the lead before three consecutive Dayton hitters drew bases loaded walks to put the Dragons in front 9-5.
Trent Hodgdon tossed the final two innings for the Dragons to close out a great day for the Dayton bullpen as they combined to go 8.1 innings, allowing just one run.
The Dragons finished with eight hits. Smith led the way with a homer, triple, and three runs scored. Stovall had a home run and two walks. Tyson Lewis had two singles and a walk.
Up Next: The Dragons (16-18, 55-45) do not play on Monday. They return home to open a six-game series with the Great Lakes Loons (19-15, 55-43) at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District on Tuesday, August 4 at 7:05 pm. Luke Hayden (3-1, 3.82) will start for the Dragons. 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.