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Stewart's Long Home Run Lifts Dragons to 4-3 Win

June 11, 2024

Dragons 4, Great Lakes 3 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 4-7-1; Great Lakes (R-H-E): 3-7-0 Win: Javi Rivera (5-2); Loss: Brandon Neeck (1-2); Save: Luis Mey (6) HR: Dayton: Carlos Jorge (7th, 0 on base in fourth inning); Sal Stewart (6th, 1 on base in fifth inning).

Dragons 4, Great Lakes 3

Click here for the box score

Dayton (R-H-E): 4-7-1; Great Lakes (R-H-E): 3-7-0

Win: Javi Rivera (5-2); Loss: Brandon Neeck (1-2); Save: Luis Mey (6)

HR: Dayton: Carlos Jorge (7th, 0 on base in fourth inning); Sal Stewart (6th, 1 on base in fifth inning). HR: Great Lakes: None

Dayton, Ohio—Sal Stewart hit a tie-breaking 454-foot home run Carlos Jorge added three hits including a home run as the Dayton Dragons defeated the Great Lakes Loons 4-3 in the series opener on Tuesday night.

A crowd of 7,790 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

Game Summary:

Great Lakes scored one run on three straight two-out singles in the top of the first inning to jump out to a quick lead, but the Dragons tied the game in the second. Ethan O’Donnell walked with one out, raced around to third on a double to right by Carlos Jorge, and scored on Leo Balcazar’s sacrifice fly to center to tie the game.

The Loons briefly regained the lead in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly to left field by Jake Gelof that brought in Kyle Nevin from third on a close play at the plate. Dragons catcher Logan Tanner and manager Vince Harrison Jr. both vehemently argued the call with the plate umpire as Great Lakes took a 2-1 lead. The Dragons immediately tied the game on a solo home run by Carlos Jorge in the bottom of the fourth, Jorge’s seventh homer of the year.

The Dragons took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Hector Rodriguez singled to start the inning and Sal Stewart following with a titanic home run to center field that was estimated at 454’, making it one of the longest home runs hit anywhere in the Reds organization in 2024. The homer, Stewart’s sixth of the season, gave Dayton a 4-2 lead.

"Just got my pitch to hit,” said Stewart. “First at bat, I kind of chased a bad pitch. Second at bat, I put a good swing on it, they made a nice play. But I felt like I was making good swings all night.”

"We had seven hits, but our at-bats were tough at bats,” said Stewart. “They were trying to nibble, and that's when we got our big hit and then we win the game. I'm happy with our game today.”

Dragons starting pitcher Javi Rivera provided his fifth straight strong performance. He worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Rivera left with a 4-2 lead.

Arij Fransen replaced Rivera to start the seventh and allowed an unearned run in the inning as Great Lakes pulled to within one run at 4-3.

In the eighth, the first two Loons hitters reached, and Fransen was replaced by Luis Mey with runners at first and second and no outs. Mey worked out of trouble, protecting the lead, and then pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save. Featuring a fastball that reached 100-101 mph and a good slider, Mey did not allow a base runner in his two inning outing.

"Nasty,” said Stewart, describing Mey’s performance. “That's it. Nasty. I go out there, sometimes I feel like I don't even have to put a glove on. He's really good. A special player and person too. I'm happy for him."

Rivera (5-2) became the first Dayton pitcher since Scott Moss in 2017 to win five straight starts (Moss won six straight that season).

“Pitching was great,” said Stewart. “Javi…another great performance. Fransen and then Mey finishing it. It was a great team win."

The Dragons finished the day with seven hits. Jorge was 3 for 4 with a single, double, and home run.

Up Next: The Dragons (29-29) host Great Lakes (31-26) in the second game of the six-game series at Day Air Ballpark on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Johnathan Harmon (3-3, 4.34) will start for Dayton against Jackson Ferris (2-3, 4.94). 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.