Dragons fall to Whitecaps

Dayton center fielder Ethan O'Donnell throws the baseball back to the infield during Wednesday's 5-3 win over West Michigan at Day Air Ballpark. Cassie Pietruszka/CONTRIBUTED

Dayton center fielder Ethan O'Donnell throws the baseball back to the infield during Wednesday's 5-3 win over West Michigan at Day Air Ballpark. Cassie Pietruszka/CONTRIBUTED
Sports
By Staff Report
Aug 31, 2024
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The West Michigan Whitecaps scored four runs in the third inning on the way to a 7-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Friday night.

With the Dragons loss, their lead in the playoff race was cut to 3 1/2 games over West Michigan. They remained four games ahead of Great Lakes, which lost on Friday. There are eight games to play in the regular season entering Saturday. The Dragons “magic number” to clinch a playoff berth is five.

The Dragons got the scoring started in the second inning when Cade Hunter doubled, went to third on a ground out, and stole home to give Dayton a 1-0 lead.

But West Michigan responded with four runs on four hits in the top of the third and took a lead they would not surrender. They added two more runs in the third to take a commanding 6-1 lead.

The Dragons finished the night with eight hits. Hunter was 2 for 4 with a double. Ethan O’Donnell had two hits and a walk. Hector Rodriguez also had two hits.

Dayton starting pitcher Jose Franco (1-3) took the loss. He allowed four runs on four hits in two and two-thirds innings, walking two and striking out four.

SUNDAY’S GAME

West Michigan at Dayton, 1:05 p.m., 980

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Staff Report