FORT WAYNE 9, DRAGONS 3
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Fort Wayne (R-H-E): 9-10-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 3-7-0
Win: Winyer Chourio (3-4); Loss: Deivi Villafana (0-4); Save: None
HR: Dayton: Eric Becker (3rd, 0 on base in second inning); John Michael Faile (13th, 0 on base in seventh inning). HR: Fort Wayne: None
**Fort Wayne, Ind.**—The Fort Wayne TinCaps scored five runs in the fifth inning to break open a one-run game and went on to defeat the Dayton Dragons 9-3 on Sunday afternoon. The Dragons won four of the six games played in the weeklong series.
Dayton’s John Michael Faile blasted a solo home run in the seventh inning, his 30th homer as a member of the Dragons to tie the all-time franchise record for career home runs set by Chris Williamson over the Dragons first three seasons (2000-02). The Dragons have six games remaining in the regular season, all at home beginning Tuesday night at Day Air Ballpark, as Faile attempts to break the record.
Recap: The Dragons got off to a good start in the game, jumping out to a 2-0 lead over the first three innings. Eric Becker launched one of the season’s longest home runs in the top of the second, a solo shot that left the ballpark and hit the side of a parking garage beyond the right field fence. In the third, Ty Doucette walked, went from first to third on Tyson Lewis’ single, and scored on a groundout by John Michael Faile to make it 2-0.
Dragons starting pitcher Deivi Villafana retired the first nine batters of the game including five on strikeouts, but the TinCaps got to him for three doubles leading to three runs in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. Fort Wayne loaded the bases with no out in the fifth, and Villafana was replaced by Bryce Archie. The TinCaps took advantage of the opportunity, scoring five runs in the inning to extend their lead to 8-2. Archie issued a bases loaded walk and then surrendered a pair of two-run hits in the inning.
Faile lined a home run to left field in the seventh to tie the Dragons career home run record and give him 13 homers for the year. Faile has hit 11 home runs in his last 31 games since July 25th. Faile hit four home runs in a brief stint with the Dragons in 2024, then connected on 13 last season.
Fort Wayne closed out the scoring with a run in the bottom of the seventh.
The Dragons finished the day with seven hits. Damian Ruiz had two singles and reached base four times for the Dragons.
Up Next: The Dragons (25-33, 64-60) do not play on Monday. They will open their final series of the regular season on Tuesday night at 7:05 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Deivi Villafana (0-3, 7.30) 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.