DRAGONS 8, WEST MICHIGAN 1
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Dayton (R-H-E): 8-7-1; West Michigan (R-H-E): 1-1-3
Win: Mason Morris (2-0); Loss: Maddox Long (1-1); Save: None
HR: Dayton: Kien Vu (14th, 1 on base in first inning). HR: West Michigan: None
Dayton, Ohio—Dayton pitchers Mason Morris, Victor Diaz, and Jose Montero combined to allow just one hit while Kien Vu hit a home run and drove in three runs as the Dragons defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps 8-1 on Friday night. The two clubs have split the first four games in the six-game series that will conclude the regular season.
A crowd of 7,811 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.
Recap: The Dragons took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kien Vu belted a home run to center field with a man on base. The homer was Vu’s 14th with the Dragons and his 19th of the year in the Reds farm system.
West Michigan scored their only run in the third when Cristian Santana led off with a double and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1. The double by Santana was West Michigan’s only hit of the game.
The Dragons scored an unearned run in the sixth and then took a commanding lead in the seventh with a five-run inning, keyed by a run-scoring single by Tyson Lewis, a two-run single by Kyle Henley, and a two-run double by John Michael Faile to give the Dragons an 8-1 lead and close out the scoring.
Dayton starting pitcher Mason Morris (2-0) tossed five strong innings, allowing one hit and one run with one walk and five strikeouts. Relievers Victor Diaz and Jose Montero each went two scoreless innings, combining to retire 12 of the final 13 batters of the game.
The Dragons had seven hits by seven different players. Ty Doucette extended his hitting streak to 14 straight games, the longest hitting streak of 2026 by a Dayton player.
The Dragons increased their run total for the year to 736, breaking the all-time franchise record set at 730 in 2000.
The win also guaranteed the Dragons a winning record for the season. They are now 66-62 with two games to play. Dayton has now posted a winning record in five of their last six seasons.
Up Next: The Dragons (27-35, 66-62) will host the Whitecaps (35-29, 59-69) in the fifth game of the six-game series on Saturday at 7:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Deivi Villafana (0-4, 8.16) 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.