Greene gets first professional win in Dragons victory

Hunter Greene DAYTON — earned the first win of his professional career, striking out eight in five innings while allowing one run as the Dayton Dragons beat the Lansing Lugnuts 11-8 at Fifth Third Field on Sunday.

The start marked the fourth time in five starts Greene (1-3, 6.32 ERA) has allowed one run or less. In that frame, he threw 21⅔ innings.

“It’s awesome to get my first pro win and it means a lot. It’s special for sure,” Greene said. “My team was really behind me in the field and everything and made great plays. They were just ready to go and I was just feeding off their energy.”

His first minor league vic- tory came almost one year after the Cincinnati Reds drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick.

The absence of victories in Greene’s win column isn’t the 18-year-old’s fault. He didn’t start rookie ball until the end of August.

This season, the Reds placed him on a limited pitch count, which makes it difficult for Greene to complete five innings, the required amount to be eligible for a win. He entered the afternoon on an 85-pitch count and needed 77 before finishing his day.

“lt felt great,” he said. “I executed and I just felt good.”

Manager Luis Bolivar agreed.

“He attacked, used his fast- ball ... and used both sides of the plate. Just well executed.”

Play of the game: Center fielder Andy Sugilio and right fielder Michael Beltre flexed their muscle early, hit- ting back-to-back home runs off Lugnuts’ starter Maverik Buffo, giving Dayton an early 3-0 lead.

Beltre’s no stranger to home run parades. He followed Miles Gordon’s homer against the West Michigan Whitecaps