Dayton Dragons Nip West Michigan Whitecaps 5-4 - Midwest League

Dayton, Ohio—Miguel Rojas drilled a tie-breaking home run to left field leading off the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Dayton Dragons to a 5-4 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field.  It was the second “walk-off” win for the Dragons in Dayton this season.

With the score tied 4-4, Rojas connected on a 1-1 fastball from West Michigan reliever Jared Gayhart (5-3) that cleared the left field fence to end the game.  It was Rojas’ third homer of the season.  Rojas was also the hero of the other Dragons “walk-off” win when his RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning beat South Bend on June 3rd at Fifth Third Field.

The Dragons established a new season-high by stealing six bases in the game including a steal of home by Kevyn Feiner in the fifth inning.  Andrew Means stole three bases in the game.

Dayton built a 3-1 lead in the first inning.  West Michigan scored once in the top of the first before the Dragons tied the game when Means started the inning with a bunt single, stole second, and scored on Dave Sappelt’s single to right.  Carlos Mendez then drilled a two-run homer to center, his fourth of the year, to make it 3-1.

West Michigan scored an unearned run in the fourth to cut the Dragons lead to 3-2.

Dayton scored in the fifth when Feiner singled to right, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch.  Means walked and stole second, and on the same play, Feiner raced in from third to make it 4-2.  The Dragons stole four bases in the inning.

West Michigan scored twice in the sixth to tie the game and set the stage for Rojas’ heroics.

Dragons reliever Scott Gaffney (3-2) tossed two scoreless innings for the win.  Dayton finished with 10 hits.  Mendez was the only player with two. 

The Dragons (27-40) host the West Michigan Whitecaps (41-26) at 7:05 p.m. on Friday at Fifth Third Field.  Josh Ravin (3-7, 3.78) will start for the Dragons against Casey Crosby (4-2, 4.02).  The games on Friday and Saturday will be televised on WHIO Digital Channel 7.2 (Channel 708 on most Time Warner cable systems).  Former Reds manager, coach, and player Tommy Helms will provide color commentary.  All games are broadcast on radio on 1410 ESPN Radio WING and on the internet at www.daytondragons.com.

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