First-round pick India goes 1 for 4, but Dayton falls 8-3
For five innings, Dayton Dragons starting pitcher Patrick McGuff did more than enough to give his team a chance to win.
McGuff, who entered the game with a 1.80 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 15 innings in his previous three starts since being signed as a free agent July 9, was strong for the fourth straight start against the Lansing Lugnuts on Monday night at Fifth Third Field. He allowed just one hit in the first five innings, a single from leadoff hitter Samad Taylor in the first inning.
In the sixth inning, Lansing capitalized on back-to- back walks from McGuff by scoring six runs to earn an 8-3 victory.
“He did a pretty good job, it was another pretty good outing for him,” Drag- ons manager Luis Bolivar said. “He just works hard out there, competes and
TODAY’S GAME
Lansing at Dayton, 7 p.m., WONE-AM (980) mixes up his pitches well. It’s too bad he didn’t get the run support from the offense. Hopefully, next time he can get some support.”
Offensively, Dayton had seven hits in the first five innings, placing runners in scoring position in the sec- ond, third and fifth innings but were unable to get on the scoreboard. The Drag- ons left 21 runners on base in the loss.
The Dragons best chance to score came in the bottom of the third inning. After back-to-back singles by Raul Wallace and Jose Garcia, Reds first-round draft pick Jonathan India – who arrived in Dayton earlier in the day – hit a base hit to right field with runners on first and second base with two outs.
It appeared Bolivar attempted to send Wallace, but he missed the bag and went back to step on it again and was stranded at third. Garcia continued running to third, nearly catching Wallace, but he was able to get back to second base safely. The next batter, Andy Sugi- lio, lined out to center field to end the inning.
In the sixth inning, Sugilio ran through a stop sign at third base and was thrown out at home.
“We didn’t run the bases good at all tonight,” Bolivar said. “I think that probably cost the game right there. It’s something we need to go and talk to them and make sure it’s a teaching moment afterwards.”
In the top of the sixth, McGuff walked back-to-back hitters and then gave up a single to Chavez Young to give Lansing a 1-0 lead. Re l iever Dauri Moreta replaced McGuff and gave up five runs on four hits as Lansing took a lead it would never relinquish.
India went 1 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout in his first appearance for the Dragons. India was the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year at Florida, hitting .350 with 21 HRs and 52 RBIs in 68 games.
Wallace went 2 for 4, including a two-run triple in the bottom of the eighth inning. Catcher Hendrik Clementina went 3 for 3, and shortstop Jose Garcia went 2 for 4 for the Dragons.
Despite the loss, the Drag- ons (18-19) remained in first place for a wild-card spot in the Midwest League East Division. The Lake County Captains and the West Michigan Whitecaps are a half- game back at 17-19, followed by the South Bend Cubs (17-20).
Dayton must finish in the top two among eligible teams in the second half to advance to the playoffs. Bowling Green and Lan- sing have already qualified after finishing atop the first half standings. The Drag- ons are looking for backto-back playoff bids for the first time since the 20072008 seasons.
Adding to record: Saturday night’s game was the 1,300th consecutive sellout for the Dragons, continuing the longest streak in profes- sional sports.
The closest active streak is the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. They’ve sold out 744 consecutive games dating to 2001.
Injury update: Shortstop Jeter Downs was placed on the disabled list, opening up a roster spot for India. Downs sustained a mild hip flexor strain but won’t miss much time, Bolivar said. He was leading the team in batting average (.262), runs (55) and stolen bases (29).