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SNS sports mobileDAYTON 5, WISCONSIN 2
Catcher Mesoraco delivers in grand style
Last year's No. 1 pick by Reds smacks grand slam in the third to lead Dayton to third straight victory.
Friday, July 11, 2008
DAYTON — Of all the skills catcher Devin Mesoraco needed to be drafted No. 1 by the Cincinnati Reds last summer, hitting is the one skill that has moved to the front while he has been with the Dragons.
Thursday, July 10, it moved way to the front and up over the left-field fence and off the concession stand — a grand slam in the third inning that propelled the Dragons to a 5-2 victory over Wisconsin, their third straight at Fifth Third Field.
"I've been trying to relax," said Mesoraco, who hit his fourth homer to go with a .251 batting average. "I was swinging at bad pitches."
Mesoraco was down 0-2 on two off-speed pitches when Wisconsin's Edward Paredes tried to slip a fastball by him. It didn't work.
A year ago, Mesoraco hit only one homer and .219 in the rookie Gulf Coast League, but has done well with the Dragons since joining them May 7 from extended spring training.
Now manager Donnie Scott wants to work with the 20-year-old a little more on his catching.
Mesoraco had little trouble with starter Kyle Lotzkar, who went five scoreless innings for the second straight game, and closer Zach Stewart's perfect ninth. Lotzkar allowed a runner in each of his innings but was never in trouble.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157
or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.
