Dragons set record in win over Hawks

Dayton, Ohio (WDTN) - In the Dayton Dragons 1,751 games over 13 seasons, they had never collected more than 22 hits in a game.  On Wednesday, they picked up 24.

The Dragons defeated the South Bend Silver Hawks 17-4 on the 4th of July at Fifth Third Field as they broke the club record for most hits in a game.  The previous record had held up for 10 years since the Dragons collected 22 hits against Beloit on June 4, 2002.  On Wednesday, the Dragons picked up their 22nd hit before the end of the sixth inning.

Eight different Dragons players notched at least two hits in the game.  Joe Terry, who did not start the game, collected four hits.  He entered as a pinch runner for Junior Arias in the first inning after Arias appeared to aggravate a strained groin.  Kyle Waldrop joined Terry with four hits while Yorman Rodriguez, Yovan Gonzalez, and Jefry Sierra each had three hits.  Sierra drove in four runs. 

Seven different Dragons players had a double in the game.  Ironically, the game’s only home run was hit by South Bend, a solo shot by Matt Helm in the second inning after the Dragons had scored eight runs in the first.

The first eight Dragons batters in the first inning all reached base and eventually scored.  It was the second biggest inning of the year for the Dragons, coming after they scored nine runs in one inning in their last home game on June 27.

After the Dragons sent 13 batters to the plate in the first inning, they batted around again in the second and scored four more runs to lead 12-1.  They added two more in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two in the sixth to build their lead to 17-1.

The Dragons batted .511 as a team in the game, going 24 for 47.  They were 13 for 25 (.520) with men in scoring position.

Dragons starting pitcher Carlos Gonzalez tossed the first four innings before reaching his pitch limit.  He allowed three hits and one run while walking four and striking out four.  Dan Jensen earned the win to improve to 4-8.  He worked three innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.  Ryan Kemp tossed the final two innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts.