Dragons Rally to Win Thriller

Dayton rallied from a two-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth for an 8-7 win over visiting South Bend Thursday night. Kurtis Muller continued swinging a hot bat by going 2-3 with two walks and his fourth home run in his last ten games. He scored the game winner on a walk-off single by Joe Terry who also reached base safely four times on the night.

Dayton scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth capped off by a walk-off single by Joe Terry to win 8-7 over South Bend Thursday night. Offensively the Dragons were once again led by Kurtis Muller who went 2-3 with two walks and a home run. He is now hitting .475 in ten games since returning from Bakersfield. Sean Buckley added three hits to the Dragon attack. Junior Arias and Terry also had muli-hit games including Aria’s two run single to start the Dragon scoring in the second and Terry’s game winner.

Tanner Robles took the hill for his eleventh start. The southpaw started the season with a strong April before getting roughed up in May. He cruised through the first four innings with the exception of Roidany Aguila. The Silver Hawk catcher doubled in the second and scored his team’s first run. He then crossed the plate in the fourth on a solo home run. Robles was chased in the fifth on a series of ground balls. The leadoff batter singled on a ball deflected by the pitcher. The next batter reached safely on a bunt. South Bend took a 3-2 lead on a bleeder through the right side of the infield. With the infield pulled in the next batter grounder through the right side. They completed their scoring for the inning with a ground ball shot down the third base line that plated two. Robles then struck out Aguila before reliever Louis O’Rear retired the next two hitters.

Dayton got three back in the bottom of the inning on a two out rally started by Muller’s fourth home run. Terry was then hit by a pitch and scored on Steve Selsky’s triple. Buckley drove him home before he was thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a double.

South Bend added an insurance run in the seventh on Aguila’s sacrifice fly. Dayton threatened to tie it the bottom of the inning after Muller walked and Terry reached on an error. They failed to score when Buckley was retired for the first time in the game on a strikeout.

Brandon Dailey came out swinging in the bottom of the ninth and hit the first pitch off the left field wall for a double. He scored after the next hitter, Juan Perez, singled to center. Perez advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Muller’s single to center. Muller advanced to second on a throw home setting the stage for Terry. With none out the DH hit a line shot over second base to end the game.

O’Rear and Michael Dennhardt combined for 4 2/3 innings while allowing only one run. Dennhardt retired seven of eight hitters faced (with the only base runner reaching on an error) and picked up his first win. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in six of seven appearances this year and has an ERA of 2.31.

Dayton’s leading hitter, Ryan Wright was not in the lineup after leaving Wednesday’s game with a sprained wrist. The Dragons will send Stalin Gershin to the mound when they go for the sweep Friday.

Other News from the Farm:

Louisville was rained out against Syracuse. They will continue their homestand tomorrow by opening a series against Durham. Pedro Villarreal is expected to get the start for the Bats.

Pensacola was also rained out at Jacksonville. They will make up that game with a double header Friday. Daniel Corcino and Tim Crabbe are scheduled to get the starts.

Bakersfield scored three in the top of the twelfth inning to win 7-4 at San Jose. They’ve now won four in a row and will go for the sweep on Friday. Billy Hamilton went 3-6 with a walk and scored three runs. The leadoff hitter is now batting .319. Theo Bowe also reached base safely four times by going 2-4 with two walks and scoring twice. Bryson Smith and Danny Vicioso added two hits each and drove in two and three respectively. Daniel Renken turned in seven strong innings and allowed only one unearned run on four hits before leaving with a lead. Brooks Pinckard threw two scoreless and picked up his first win. Jamie Walczak closed down the 13th for his second save.

Billy Hamilton Theft Watch:

Hamilton led off the first with a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error. He led off the third with another single and stole second base before scoring. He was intentionally walked in the ninth and never had an open base in front of him. He led off an inning with a single for the third time in the eleventh and advanced to second on a walk. Finally he reached in the twelfth on a fielder’s choice and stole second again. He now has 57 steals in 50 games.