Lansing Tops Dragons in Third Straight One-Run Decision

Lansing 3, Dragons 2

Click here for the box score

Lansing (R-H-E): 3-10-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-5-1

Win: Gunnar Hoglund (1-0); Loss: Chase Petty (0-2); Save: Yehizon Sanchez (1)

HR: Dayton: None HR: Lansing: Junior Perez (11^th, 1 on base in seventh inning).

Dayton, Ohio—Lansing pitchers Gunnar Hoglund and Yehizon Sanchez did not allow a hit until the eighth inning as the Lugnuts edged the Dayton Dragons 3-2 on Saturday night. A crowd of 9,009 was in attendance on American Celebration Night at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The game marked the third consecutive night between the two teams in which Lansing won by the identical score of 3-2. In all three games, the Dragons had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth inning but could not deliver the big hit.

The Dragons remained three and one-half games behind first place West Michigan in the Midwest League East Division standings. There are 13 games to play in the second half season.

Lansing built a 3-0 lead, scoring one run in the fourth inning and two more in the seventh. The Dragons picked up their first hit of the game with one out in the eighth inning, a line drive single to right field by Jack Rogers. After Rogers’ hit, Cade Hunter singled to move Rogers to third, and Hector Rodriguez followed with a hit to right to drive in Rogers and move Hunter to third. Rodriguez advanced to second on the play when the throw came in to third. Trey Faltine followed with a double to the fence in right field. Hunter scored easily on the play, but Rodriguez got a late start off second and was thrown out at the plate for the second out of the inning. Edwin Arroyo grounded out to first to end the inning with the Dragons trailing 3-2.

In the bottom of the ninth, Dayton’s Carlos Jorge drew a walk to start the inning, but the next two batters were retired. Pinch hitter Mat Nelson then singled to left field to move Jorge to third, but Rogers popped out to shortstop to end the game.

Dragons starting pitcher Chase Petty had one of his best outings of the season. In four innings, Petty struck out seven without giving up a walk. He allowed one unearned run on four hits. Jacob Heatherly followed Petty with two scoreless innings. Brooks Crawford tossed the final three innings, allowing a pair of runs on five hits. Petty absorbed the loss.

Up Next: The Dragons (27-26, 60-59) close out the homestand when they host Lansing (24-29, 55-63) on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. in the final game of the six-game series at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Carson Rudd (4-6, 5.16) is scheduled to start for Dayton. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: Sunday’s game will be televised on Dayton’s CW (Channel 26; Spectrum Cable channels 13 and 1013). All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.