Pucheu Leads Dragons to 8-0 Win at West Michigan

Dragons 8, West Michigan 0

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Grand Rapids, Mich.—Dayton starting pitcher Jacques Pucheu and two relievers combined on a three-hit shutout as the Dragons defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps 8-0 on Thursday night. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Dragons and gave them their first victory in the current series at West Michigan after two Whitecaps wins to start the seven-game set.

The Dragons collected 13 hits, marking their largest total since they had 15 on July 8. The eight runs represented the most by the Dragons since they scored eight on July 18, and the eight-run margin of victory was their largest in two months, since they beat Lake County 15-4 on June 5. The shutout was the first for Dragons pitchers since June 22 and their fifth of the year.

Pucheu (4-1) (pronounced PEE-shoe) worked six strong innings, allowing just two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts to earn the win. Vin Timpanelli tossed two innings and Ricky Karcher pitched the ninth. West Michigan advanced only two runners as far as second base in the game and did not push a runner to third.

The Dayton attack was well-balanced with hits from eight of the nine starters. Miguel Hernandez had three hits to lead the way. Francisco Urbaez had two hits including a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Jacob Hurtubise also had a double and single. Reyny Reyes had two hits , a run scored, and an RBI.

For the second straight night, the Dragons took the lead by scoring in the top of the first inning. Urbaez doubled to the fence in left-center field and scored on a two-out single to left by Garrett Wolforth. The Dragons added two more runs in the sixth, keyed by Quin Cotton’s run-scoring single. They added two more in the seventh triggered by an RBI double by Juan Martinez, and then added three more in the eighth, as Reniel Ozuna collected a double to drive in a run.

Notes: Over Pucheu’s last four starts, he has tossed 20 innings and allowed just six hits and four runs for an ERA of 1.80.

The Race: The Dragons remain two and one-half games behind Great Lakes in the East Division of the High-A Central League. Great Lakes defeated Fort Wayne 5-1 on Thursday.

Up Next: The Dragons (42-38) battle West Michigan (38-42) in a doubleheader on Friday at 6:05 p.m. Carson Spiers (3-2, 3.91) will start in game one for Dayton while six-foot eight left-hander Evan Kravetz will make his debut with the Dragons as the second game starter. Reese Olson will start game one for West Michigan in his debut with the Whitecaps. West Michigan has not named a second game starter.

On the Air: All Dragons games are broadcast on radio on 980 WONE AM Fox Sports. 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.

For Dragons 2021 ticket information, call (937) 228-2287 or go to daytondragons.com.

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