Dragons tales:
In a season of DAYTON — firsts, it figures the Dragons would find another way to punctuate yet another victory Wednesday night.
This time the starring role went to shortstop Hector Vargas, whose blooper nestled between the Lansing Lugnuts’ outfield and infield and enabled the Dragons to post a 4-3 win in 11 innings at Fifth Third Field.
Vargas twice missed badly before lunging at another offering. This time he was money.
“After a couple of swings I tried to just put the ball in play,” said the Dominican Republic native through manager and translator Luis Bolivar. “No matter how the pitch was, I just wanted to put the ball in play.”
Dayton (9-4) maintained its Midwest League Eastern Division lead by taking its fourth straight series. The Dragons have shared or held the outright ML lead for a week.
Vargas set off what’s becoming a regular clubhouse impromptu dance routine by the players. Even Bolivar was tempted to join in until being persuaded to translate for Vargas.
Light-hitting backup catcher Cassidy Brown (.100) started the 11th inning with a single and Jose Siri’s sacrifice bunt was rifled into the netting by losing pitcher
Game changer:
Jackson McClelland (0-1). Bell was then walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Vargas.
It was the first time the Dragons earned a walk-off win and the first time they had played extra innings.
“The chemistry is really important,” Vargas said. “We always battle every game. When you go out there and you’ve got good chemistry on the team, good things are Hector Vargas Shortstop R/R; 6-2, 170 pounds Jan. 27, 1995 (22) Peravia, Dominican Republic Signed with Reds as an international free agent in 2012.
Opened last season at Dayton then was sent to Billings at the start of the rookie-ball season. Was the Reds Instructional League hitter of the year last fall. going to happen.”
John Sansone (.222) and James Vasquez (.188) had two hits for the Dragons. Starting pitcher Wennington Romero lasted six impressive innings, striking out six, allowing five hits and no earned runs. Reliever Jesse Adams (2-0) went the final two scoreless innings and struck out three to earn the win.
Brantley Bell was credited with a unique single in the second inning. The Dragons second baseman scorched a shot to Lugnuts third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who fielded the heater cleanly but couldn’t make a throw. That’s because the ball was wedged into his glove’s webbing.
Guerrero, whose father was the 2004 American League MVP for the Angels, waved his mitt around in disbelief.
Left fielder Taylor Trammell (Powder Springs, Ga.) extended his hitting streak to nine games. That’s the longest current active streak in the Midwest League.
Second baseman Brantley Bell was hitting .115 at the start of the series on Monday. After three games he hiked his average to .243 with two
TODAY’S GAME
Dayton at South Bend, 7 p.m. WONE-AM (980)
MORE ONLINE
View photos and video at more hits on Wednesday.
The Dragons begin a four-game series at the South Bend Cubs today. Ryan Olson (2.0, 0.00 ERA) is threatening to become the Dragons’ ace pitcher. The right-hander from Cal Poly Pomona has allowed six hits in 16 innings, no runs and struck out 12.
Probable South Bend starter is lefty Manuel Rondon (1.0, 3.72 ERA). Rondon was part of a Eugene Emeralds staff last season that was key in winning a Northwest League rookie-ball championship.
On deck: