SpringfieldNewsSun.com

DAYTON — Finding hits at the top and bottom of the lineup appears to be a past problem for the Dayton Dragons, and not at all a problem for center fielder Justin Reed.

Hitting eighth in the order on Sunday, May 4, he banged a two-run homer for all the runs scored in that game.

On Monday, he was dropped into the No. 9 hole and responded with four more hits, including his second homer, as the Dragons more than quadrupled Quad Cities 9-2 in front of 8,010 at Fifth Third Field.

With the four hits, Reed raised his batting average to .272. "I'm still focusing on that line-drive swing," Reed said. "Sometimes those line drives go out."

Dayton didn't waste time scoring in the first inning as the first five batters reached safely with four of them scoring, two on Denis Phipps' double off the wall in center field.

Brandon Waring was denied a big at-bat when he was nipped ("It barely hit me," he said) with a pitch while the bases were loaded, then he added three RBIs with a homer in the fourth.

"Early in the season, things might not be going the way you want," Reed said. "But you know what you can do and when one guy is hitting, the next guy starts hitting and you get in a groove."

All of the hitting was most helpful to starter Curtis Partch, who was not only rewarded with his first victory, but allowed no earned runs in six innings, allowed five hits and walked none.

Dragons tales: Todd Frazier, who began the season as the every-day shortstop, played his first game in left field, making two fine catches, one on the warning track. He has also played first and third and has been used as the DH.

The Reds expect him to make the majors with his bat and want to make certain he can play whatever position is available when he gets there. ... "We're getting some clutch hitting," said manager Donnie Scott (Waring's homer came with two outs). "Sometimes a walk can be helpful, too."

The Dragons were issued three walks, all scored.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Today's game

Who: Quad Cities River Bandits at Dayton Dragons

Time: 7 p.m.

Radio: WING-AM (1410)

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