Outstanding Pitching Keys Dragons 2-1 Win as Dayton Holds Off West Michigan in 9th Inning

Dragons 2, West Michigan 1

Click here for the box score

Dayton (R-H-E): 2-3-0; West Michigan (R-H-E): 1-5-0

Win: Jared Lyons (1-1); Loss: Garrett Burhenn (0-3); Save: Joseph Menefee (1)

HR: Dayton: None; HR: West Michigan: None

Dayton, Ohio—Dayton starting pitcher Jared Lyons and relievers Myles Gayman and Joseph Menefee combined on a five-hitter as the Dragons edged the West Michigan Whitecaps 2-1 on Saturday night. The win was the third straight for the Dragons.

A crowd of 7,978 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

West Michigan had the tying run at third and potential winning run at second with two outs in the ninth inning before Menefee notched a strikeout to end the game.

Game Recap:

The Dragons took an early 1-0 lead by scoring in the second inning. Cade Hunter drew a one-out walk and scored from first on Victor Acosta’s two-out triple off the glove at the right fielder at the fence.

In the sixth, the Dragons made it 2-0 when Jay Allen II singled, advanced to second and then to third on a pair of ground outs, and scored on a wild pitch.

Dragons starting pitcher Jared Lyons was exceptional. He tossed five scoreless innings, striking out seven while walking two and allowing just two hits.

Myles Gayman replaced Lyons to start the sixth inning and retired the first seven batters he faced before allowing a pair of hits in the eighth as West Michigan scored their only run. Joseph Menefee replaced Gayman with two outs and the tying run at second in the eighth and got an inning-ending ground out on the only pitch he threw in the inning.

Menefee remained in the game in the ninth and struck out the first batter of the inning. The next hitter reached on a dropped third strike, and after a base hit, West Michigan had runners at first and second with one out. Menefee recorded the second out of the inning on a deep fly out to center field before throwing a wild pitch with Danny Serretti at the plate to move runners to second and third. But Menefee got a swinging strikeout to end the game and earn his first save. Lyons (1-1) was credited with the win.

The Dragons finished with only three hits. Acosta, Allen, and Hunter each had one hit.

Notes: Since allowing 13 runs in a loss on Wednesday, Dragons pitchers have given up only six runs over the last three games combined.

Up Next: The Dragons (12-14) close out the six-game series with West Michigan (10-16) on Sunday at 1:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Javi Rivera (0-0, 7.24) will start for Dayton against West Michigan’s Jaden Hamm (0-0, 1.33). For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: 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.