Loons slay Dragons, 5-4, in ninth inning rally

Great Lakes Captures Sixth Win in Seven Games

DAYTON, OH – Nick Akins reached on an infield single with the bases loaded and a 3-2 count in the top of the ninth inning, driving home the go-ahead run in a 5-4 Great Lakes Loons win over the Dayton Dragons Wednesday night.

Trailing by a run in the top of the ninth inning against right-hander El Hajj Muhammed, Jeff Hunt led off the inning with a single. James Baldwin bunted to third but Junior Arias, playing well-in at third base, made the play and threw out Hunt at second. Darnell Sweeney followed with a single to right advancing Baldwin to third. Pinch hitter Jesus Arredondo doubled down the left field line to bring home the tying run. After an intentional walk to Joe Winker and with two outs, Akins worked the count full and hit a grounder to short. Perez fielded the ball but fell down making the play. All runners advanced safely. Then Perez threw to third retiring Arredondo, who over-ran the base.

Craig Stem entered in the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 inning for his second Loons save.

Sweeney finished the game with four hits – two singles, a double and a triple – and one walk.

Amalio Diaz (1-0) entered the game with two outs in the fifth inning and pitched 3 1/3 scoreless relief innings to record his first win with the Loons.

Catcher Tyler Ogle drove in the first two Loons runs of the game with a two-run homer, his third since rejoining the Loons August 18. He reached base three times in the game.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto, rehabilitating a left knee injury, started at first base for the Dragons. He singled to center in his first at-bat, drew a walk in the third inning and grounded to second into a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning. After running the bases in the fifth, he was lifted for a defensive replacement. This was scheduled to be his final rehab game.

The Loons (30-35 second half, 64-71 overall) play the second game of a three-game series against the Dragons (28-35, 58-75) Thursday night at Fifth Third Field. Game time is 7pm ET. Right-hander Jacob Johnson (2-5, 5.18 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Dragons. The Loons are scheduled to start a still-to-be-determined member of the bullpen, possibly right-hander James Campbell. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 100.9-FM.