First Half Champs! Dragons Win Eastern Division
June 13, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release
Dayton, OH -The Dragons entered Wednesday night's game against the South Bend Silver Hawks with a magic number of one. Any combination of a Dragons win or a West Michigan loss would wrap up first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division for the Miami Valley's team. Dayton decided to take matters into their own hands, winning 3-0 over the Silver Hawks and becoming the First Half Eastern Division Champions.
With the win, Dayton wins a half of baseball for the first time since Donnie Scott led the 2001 team to a first half Eastern Division title. The win for the Dragons is the 42nd of the first half and sets a franchise record for the most wins in a half of baseball by a Dayton Dragons club. The 2001 Dayton team won 41 games in each half and the 2002 squad picked up 41 wins in half number two.
Dayton got a terrific outing from starter Jordan Smith (WP, 5-4), as he went a season high 8.0 shutout innings. Smith allowed just three hits, while striking out two. The only reason for Smith coming out of the game was that Eddie Guardado (SV, 1) was making a rehab appearance for the Cincinnati Reds, and needed to get in his work.
Dayton scored a run in the fourth against South Bend starter Jordan Norberto (LP, 1-4). After getting 10 outs in a row to begin the ballgame, Norberto finally allowed a one out single to Justin Turner in the bottom of the fourth. Turner stole second and went to third when the throw went into centerfield. One out later, Juan Francisco drove in Turner as the game's first run.
The Dragons tacked on two more in the bottom of the seventh against Mark Romanczuk (ND). Francisco and Chris Heisey had back-to-back singles to begin the inning, and both scored on a two out double from Logan Parker. Parker extended his hitting streak to six games, and is hitting over .500 in his last five games.
The Dragons and Silver Hawks will wrap up the brief two game series at Fifth Third Field Thursday night at 7:00 PM. RHP Daniel Guerrero (0-1, 4.11 ERA) will get the starting nod for the Dragons while South Bend counters with LHP Eddie Romero (5-2, 4.11 ERA). 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM will carry the game live beginning with the Dragons Pre Game Show at 6:30 PM. All Dragons games in 2007 are also carried live on the internet via All In Broadcasting at www.daytondragons.com.
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Midwest League Stories from June 13, 2007
- Bees Win Third Straight - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Come Back, Beat Clinton - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs Drop Fourth Straight - Peoria Chiefs
- Snappers Clinch Playoff Spot - Beloit Sky Carp
- Loons Win Again - Great Lakes Loons
- Another Big Lead Blown by Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Loons Topple Lugnuts - Lansing Lugnuts
- First Half Champs! Dragons Win Eastern Division - Dayton Dragons
- Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest Only Two Weeks Away - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Friday's Game Sold Out; First Whitecaps Sellout This Year - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Wisconsin Wins Second Straight - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Swing Drop Second In A Row To Wisconsin - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kenny Rogers Scheduled to Start for Whitecaps Friday - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Sean O'Sullivan activated from DL; Blake Holler transferred to Orem - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Back So Soon? Smith Rejoins Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- McConnell Moves On - Burlington Bees
- Manship shuts down Kernels, 5-2 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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