DRAGONS 8, GREAT LAKES 5
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Dayton (R-H-E): 8-13-1; Great Lakes (R-H-E): 5-7-1
Win: Graham Osman (2-1); Loss: Isaac Ayon (1-4); Save: Trent Hodgdon (8)
HR: Dayton: Ty Doucette (1st, 1 on base in second inning); Eric Becker (1st, 2 on base in second inning); John Michael Faile (7th, 0 on base in third inning). HR: Great Lakes: Samuel Munoz (6th, 1 on base in second inning); Emil Morales (16th, 1 on base in second inning).
Dayton, Ohio—The Dayton Dragons erased a five-run deficit with five runs in the second inning and went on to defeat the Great Lakes Loons 8-5 on Saturday night.
The Dragons hit three home runs in the game including the first of the professional career of recent arrival Eric Becker, the Reds second round draft pick last month. John Michael Faile’s solo homer in the third broke a 5-5 tie and gave the Dragons a lead they would not surrender.
The Dayton bullpen was exceptional. Relievers Graham Osman, Jimmy Romano, and Trent Hodgdon combined for six shutout innings, allowing only two base runners.
The Dragons have won two of the first five games in the six-game series and would earn a split with a win on Sunday.
A crowd of 8,173 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.
Recap: The Loons raced out to a big lead with five runs in the top of the second inning as they hit two home runs in the frame, two-run homers by Samuel Munoz and Emil Morales to put Great Lakes ahead 5-0.
The Dragons responded with a five-run bottom of the second to tie the game. After a one-out single by Marcus Smith, Ty Doucette hit a two-run home run to right field to make it 5-2. With two outs in the same inning, Kyle Henley doubled to left and stole third before Jacob Friend walked. Eric Becker followed with a three-run home run to right field, the first homer of his professional career in just his third game, to tie the score at 5-5.
The game was delayed by rain for 30 minutes in the middle of the third inning. When the contest resumed, Dayton’s John Michael Faile hit the first pitch for a home run to right field to give the Dragons a 6-5 lead. The homer was Faile’s seventh of the year and third of the series.
The Dragons added two more runs in the fourth. Julio Carreras singled with one out, stole second, and scored on Tyson Lewis’ double. Lewis went to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error to give the Dragons an 8-5 lead.
Osman (2-1) was brilliant out of the Dayton bullpen. He retired all 11 batters he faced, getting seven strikeouts to earn the win.
"I was just focused on the job I had to do,” said Osman. “We had the (30 minute rain) delay and I was told I was going to come out of the ‘pen once we got started again. I was just trying to give us a chance to keep the lead and win the game. So that was my main focus…just laser focused on the job that I was trying to do with each pitch. Just making the outing really simple. This is what I'm trying to do right now. And I'm not worrying about anything else."
Jimmy Romano replaced Osman and worked an inning and one-third of scoreless baseball. Trent Hodgdon earned his eighth save by pitching a perfect ninth inning.
The Dragons collected 13 hits. Carreras and Lewis each had three. Doucette had two hits including his first Midwest League home run. Becker, playing in only his third professional game, connected on his first career homer. Faile’s home run was his fifth in his last 12 games.
Up Next: The Dragons (18-21, 57-48) host the Loons (22-17, 58-45) in the last game of the six-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Ovis Portes will be activated off the injured list and start on the mound 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.