Rogers HR beats Lugnuts late

DAYTON, OH – A day after his two-run homer in the eighth inning sparked a late comeback, Jack Rogers knocked a two-run homer to break an eighth-inning tie, and the Dayton Dragons (27-23, 60-56) beat the Lansing Lugnuts (21-29, 52-63), 7-5, on Wednesday night at Day Air Ballpark.

Lansing right fielder Colby Thomas homered for the second straight game and starter Jacob Watters combined with a pair of relievers to strike out 15 Dragons in the losing cause.

With the game tied 5-5 entering the bottom of the eighth, new reliever Charles Hall retired Sal Stewart on a comebacker before allowing a single to Cade Hunter. Rogers followed with a high opposite-field drive down the left field line for his 13th home run of the year.

The early story of the game was Watters, who set down the first 10 Dragons in order with eight strikeouts, looking dominant, before a pair of walks, a Rogers RBI single and a Ruben Ibarra three-run homer lifted Dayton into a 4-2 lead in the fourth.

The Nuts rallied for three runs in the sixth against Dennis Boatman, thanks to a bases-loaded walk, a run-scoring double play, and an Euribiel Ángeles RBI single.

But Ibarra hooked an RBI double into the left corner against southpaw Jack Owen in the sixth inning to tie the score and set up the late dramatics.

Owen finished with five strikeouts in three innings, following Watters’ eight strikeouts in four innings. Hall struck out both Ibarra and Austin Hendrick to end the eighth after Rogers’ home run.

Daniel Susac went 2-for-4 with two runs scored to help the Lugnuts’ offensive effort.

Left-hander James González (0.00 ERA), coming off five scoreless innings in relief in his Midwest League debut, makes his first Lugnuts start on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. The Dragons will counter with right-hander Hunter Parks (4.17).

The Nuts return to Michigan’s state capital for their final homestand of the year from August 29 through September 3 against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Tickets are available at the box office, via lansinglugnuts.com or by calling (517) 485-4500.

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