Loons Strike Early, Top Dragons 6-0 in Playoff Opener

GREAT LAKES 6, DRAGONS 0

Click here for the box score

Great Lakes (R-H-E): 6-9-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 0-9-0

Win: Tyler Gough (1-0); Loss: Edgar Colon (0-1); Save: None

HR: Dayton: None HR: Great Lakes: Eduardo Quintero (1^st, 1 on base in first inning); Emil Morales (1^st, 0 on base in first inning); Mairo Martinus (1^st, 0 on base in second inning).

Midland, Mich.—The Great Lakes Loons scored three runs in the first inning, two more in the second, and went on to defeat the Dayton Dragons 6-0 on Tuesday night in the first game of the Midwest League East Division playoffs.

The series will move to Dayton on Thursday, when the Dragons will try to keep their season alive and force a deciding third game in the best-of-three series.

Recap: Great Lakes wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead as they knocked Dayton starting pitcher Edgar Colon out of the game before the first out of the bottom of the first inning was recorded. The inning began with a double by Loons lead-off hitter Chuck Davalan followed by a home run by Eduardo Quintero to make it 2-0. The third Loons hitter of the inning, Emil Morales, followed with another home run to make it 3-0. After surrendering another double to the Loons fourth hitter, Colon was replaced by Brady Afthim, who worked out of further trouble in the inning. But the Loons added two more in the second inning to take a 5-0 lead.

The Dragons had nine hits in the game, the same number as Great Lakes, but they could never get the big hit. They left the bases loaded twice and stranded 12 on the night, going 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. All nine Dragons hits were singles. Great Lakes closed out the scoring with a run in the fifth inning.

The final three Dayton relievers pitched well to give the club a chance to come back. David Lorduy, Jimmy Romano, and Jacob Edwards combined to work six and one-third innings, allowing just three hits and one run.

Tyson Lewis had an excellent night at the plate for the Dragons, going 3 for 3 with a walk, reaching base in all four plate appearances. Ryan McCrystal had two hits.

Up Next: The East Division best-of-three playoff set with the Loons moves to Dayton for the remainder of the series, resuming with game two on Thursday night 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.