DAYTON BEGINS QUEST TO PUT ASIDE LOSING 2017 SEASON

West Michigan’s Jordan Pearce hit a two-run home run to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning and the Whitecaps held on to defeat the Dayton Dragons 4-2 on Thursday night. The game was the nextto-last home game for the Drag- ons. A crowd of 7,447 was in attendance at Fifth Third Field. The Dragons concluded their home schedule Friday night.

The Dragons jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, getting three consecu- tive one-out singles from Jonathan India, Jeter Downs, and Hendrik Clementina, before Andy Sugilio delivered a sacrifice fly to bring in India.

West Michigan scored two runs in the second before the Dragons tied the game in the third when India reached on an infield single, stole second, went to third on a single by Clementina, and scored on Sugilio’s second sacrifice fly of the game to make it 2-2.

In the top of the sixth, Pearce homered down the right field line with a runner on base to break the tie. It was the sixth home run of the year for Pearce.

The Dragons did not have a hit after Clementina’s thirdinning single until Jose Garcia led off the eighth with a single to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Garcia was stranded at second, and the Dragons left runners at first and sec- ond in the ninth.

Dayton starter Mac Sceroler (2-6) took the loss. He worked six innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with a career-high nine strikeouts. Dauri Moreta replaced Sceroler and tossed three scoreless innings.

The Dragons finished with eight hits. India, Clementina, and Reshard Munroe each had two each.