Dragons Fall to Whitecaps in Regular Season Finale; Playoffs Begin on the Road Tuesday
WEST MICHIGAN 5, DRAGONS 2 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 5-8-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-8-0 Win: Conner Fenlong (4-1); Loss: Julian Aguiar (0-1); Save: Logan Berrier (5) HR: Dayton: Damian Ruiz (2nd, 0 on base in fifth inning). HR: West Michigan: Jackson Strong (17th, 2 on base
That'll play Ruiz!! 😮💨🔥
— Dayton Dragons (@DragonsBaseball) September 6, 2026
Damian Ruiz with the solo homer.#FeelTheFire pic.twitter.com/WtljMEdoTM
WEST MICHIGAN 5, DRAGONS 2
Click here for the box score
West Michigan (R-H-E): 5-8-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-8-0
Win: Conner Fenlong (4-1); Loss: Julian Aguiar (0-1); Save: Logan Berrier (5)
HR: Dayton: Damian Ruiz (2nd, 0 on base in fifth inning). HR: West Michigan: Jackson Strong (17th, 2 on base in third inning).
Dayton, Ohio—
A crowd of 8,186 was in attendance at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.
The Dragons closed out the regular season with a record of 67-63, marking the fifth time in the last six years that they have finished a season with a winning record. They will open the Midwest League playoffs on Tuesday night in Midland, Michigan against the Great Lakes Loons at 7:05 pm.
Recap: West Michigan started the scoring in the top of the third inning when Jackson Strong blasted a home run with two men on base to give the Whitecaps a 3-0 lead.
The Dragons scored in the fifth on a solo home run by Damian Ruiz, his second in the first 13 games of his professional career, to make it 3-1.
The home run by Ruiz gave the Dragons at least one home run in 28 consecutive games, the longest home run streak by any Full-Season Minor League team (all levels and classifications) since recordkeeping began in 2005.
In the eighth inning, still trailing 3-1, the Dragons loaded the bases with no one out on a walk to Kien Vu and singles by Ryan McCrystal and Eric Becker. Tyson Lewis grounded out to bring in one run and make it 3-2, but consecutive strikeouts of Johnny Ascanio and Ruiz ended the threat as the Dragons stranded two in scoring position.
West Michigan added two runs in the top of the ninth to close out the scoring.
The Dragons used two pitchers with Major League experience on injury rehab assignments. Julian Aguiar started the game for the Dragons and retired the first seven batters he faced before allowing the home run to Strong. Aguiar worked three innings, allowing four hits and three runs with no walks and two strikeouts. Jose Franco replaced Aguiar and worked two near-perfect innings, allowing just one base runner with one strikeout.
The Dragons finished the day with eight hits. Justin Lebron was 2 for 4 with a walk. Ty Doucette had one hit in the game to close the regular season with a 16-game hitting streak, the longest by any Dayton player since Jose Barrero hit in 17 straight games in 2018.
Up Next: The Dragons (67-63) will open the East Division playoffs on Tuesday on the road against the Great Lakes Loons (75-54) at 7:05 pm in game one of a best-of-three series. The series will move to Dayton for game two on Thursday, September 10 at 7:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. If game three is necessary, it will also be played in Dayton. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.
On the Air: All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.