Loons rally to top Dragons

Dragons catcher Hendrik Clementina. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

Dragons catcher Hendrik Clementina. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

The Great Lakes Loons battled back from a four-run deficit to defeat the Dayton Dragons 7-5 at Dow Diamond on Sunday afternoon. The Loons have won two-of-three in the four-game series that will conclude on Monday night.

The Dragons built a 4-0 lead in the first inning and continued to hold a 5-2 lead before Great Lakes scored three runs in the sixth to tie the game and two in the seventh to take the lead. The Dayton bullpen allowed five runs in three innings of work.

Hendrik Clementina belted a two-run home run in the first inning, his 11th of the year, to highlight a four-run frame. Sugilio also drove in two runs in the inning with a base hit.

But Great Lakes eventually tied the game in the sixth on back-to-back two-out RBI hits to make it 5-5. Dragons reliever Cory Thompson (4-2) entered the game to start the seventh and gave up two runs in the inning on a pair of hits, a walk, and a hit batsman, and Thompson was charged with the loss.

Dragons starting pitcher Wendolyn Bautista was a late addition to the lineup when scheduled starter Tyler Mondile was scratched. Bautista pitched five innings, stranding eight runners. He allowed two runs on seven hits with three walks and seven strikeouts and left the game in the sixth with a 5-2 lead. Connor Bennett allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning in relief of Bautista.

The Dragons finished with 12 hits. Cedrola went 3 for 5 with a double. Clementina had two hits including a home run and a single off the left field wall. Garcia and Downs each added two hits.

Up Next: The Dragons (8-10, 39-47) close out the four-game series with the Loons (3-15, 27-59) on Monday night at 7:05. Dayton's Packy Naughton (3-8, 4.47) will be opposed by Loons starter Jeronimo Castro, who will be making his first appearance.

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