Siani’s slam powers Dragons past Lugnuts, extends streak

LANSING, MICH. — Michael Siani lined a grand slam in a six-run second inning as the Dayton Dragons defeated the Lansing Lugnuts 7-2 on Thursday night. The Dragons won the first three games of the six-game set in Lansing by a combined score of 29-7. Dayton extended its win streak to four and held onto first place in the High-a Central League’s East Division.

The six-run inning, matching the Dragons largest single frame of the year, started with a solo home run by Juan Martinez, his fifth. With one out, Quin Cotton homered to right, his team-leading eighth. Three batters later, Siani came to the plate with the bases loaded and ripped a liner that registered 103 mph off the bat over the right-field fence for the Dragons’ third grand slam of the year. It gave the Dragons a 6-0 lead.

Dragons starter Carson Spiers (4-2) worked the first five innings to earn the win. He allowed two runs on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Evan Kravetz followed Spiers with three scoreless innings, and John Ghyzel pitched a scoreless ninth. Dragons pitchers combined to allow six earned runs in the three games of the series, an ERA of 2.00.

The Dragons scored their final run in the sixth when Alex Mcgarry walked, went to third on a double by Cotton, and scored on Eric Yang’s sacrifice fly. Siani was 3 for 5 with a home run and four runs batted in. Cotton was 3 for 4 with a homer and double.

The Dragons were 6-4 on their 13-game road trip through Thursday. The series in Lansing continues through Sunday before Lake County visits Dayton for a six-game series beginning Tuesday.