DAYTON, Ohio. – The Great Lakes Loons (75-54) (1-1) offense left seven on base and were limited to one extra base hit, in a 3-1 loss to the Dayton Dragons (67-63) (1-1). The series is tied at one in the best-of-three Midwest League East Division Championship Series. Tonight’s game was on a 75-degree overcast Thursday night at Day Air Ballpark in front of 7,802.
- After being shutout in game one, Dayton scored in the first inning in game two. Justin Lebron reached on a dropped third strike and stole second base. Ty Doucette singled to put runners on the corners. Kien Vu’s fielders’ choice pushed across the run. Great Lakes starter Brooks Auger was able to force a flyout and earn a strikeout to leave a runner on.
- Dragons’ starter Kyle McCoy gave up 14 runs in 4.1 innings in the regular season against the Loons. McCoy tossed four scoreless tonight. The left-hander induced a double play to end the first and second inning. Emil Morales, Chuck Davalan and Jaron Elkins each singled their first time up. Morales was the only one to reach scoring position. It was all three players only reach of the night.
- Dayton nine-hitter Kyle Henley ripped a two-out two-run triple up the right field line in the fourth inning. Ryan McCrystal and Johnny Ascanio each singled, Ascanio bunted aboard. Brooks Auger finished his four innings with a flyout by Justin Lebron.
- Gio Cueto drove in the only run for Great Lakes. Victor Rodrigues doubled against Jose Montero with two outs. Montero’s only permitted hit. Cueto facing Dragons’ reliever Victor Diaz barreled up a fastball and hit it into centerfield. Diaz struck out Eduardo Quintero to end the seventh.
- Will Gagnon gained the final 12 outs, permitting one hit. The right-hander struck out five Dragons. Four of the final six outs by Dayton pitching came via the punchout. Trent Hodgdon, who earned 11 saves in the regular season, got the final three outs.
Rounding Things Out
The Dragons won their first playoff game in Dayton since 2011.
Up Next
The winner moves on game three is tomorrow Friday, September 11th at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton, Ohio. The first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET.
The Great Lakes Loons have been a partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team’s inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team’s home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and Sports Radio 100.9 The Mitt. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.