Dragons 15, Lugnuts 11
Highlights: The Dragons belted four home runs in a game for the first time since July 5, 2009, at West Michigan. Juan Duran, Donald Lutz, David Vidal and Yorman Rodriguez each connected with a man aboard in consecutive innings as the Dragons rapped out 18 hits for the second night in a row.
Turning point: After the Lugnuts pulled within 7-6 with four runs in the fourth, the Dragons answered with five in their half as the first seven batters reached base. Rodriguez homered and two runs scored on bases-loaded walks.
On the mound: Starter Daniel Renken picked the right night to pitch but couldn’t take advantage of the run support, failing to last five innings.
On deck: The Dragons will try to further foil Lansing’s playoff hopes when Tanner Robles (3-4, 6.18 ERA) takes the mound tonight. It will be the 807th consecutive Fifth Third Field sellout. Barring rainouts, the Portland Trail Blazers’ professional sports sellout streak of 814 will fall July 9.
DAYTON — As Dragons second baseman Devin Lohman discovered Friday, baseball can be a cruel business sometimes.
A few hours before game time, the Reds’ 2010 third-round draft pick from Long Beach State fought back tears as he hugged teammates and coaches. He was heading to a car that would take him to the airport for a trip to Billings, Mont., and more seasoning in the short-season Pioneer League, where play begins Monday.
The Reds want Lohman to play shortstop every day, but the timing of the move, with three games remaining in the first half, surprised manager Delino DeShields.
“It’s just a tough call right now,” DeShields said. “I just think he’s battled all year and really earned the respect of everybody in this clubhouse by the way he’s gone about his business.
“It would have been very easy for him to fold up the tent and say ‘poor me,’ but he came to work every day, kept busting his butt, and things were starting to change for him. He was really making some progress.”
Lohman, who played for DeShields at Billings last season, departs with a .208 batting average, but he was third on the team with 31 RBIs. In 56 games at second base and six at shortstop, he made 15 errors.
“Nobody likes to be sent down, at any level, but he’s been very professional,” hitting coach Alex Pelaez said. “I told him to keep doing what he’s been doing.”
Taking Lohman’s place at second base will be Ronald Torreyes, who arrives from extended spring traiing. The 5-foot-7 Torreyes dazzled defensively in six games with the Dragons late last season.
“Ronny’s a good player,” DeShields said. “We’re not downgrading at the position.”
Smith missed: The Dragons won't face Lugnuts starter Egan Smith in this series. Smith, the brother of Reds pitcher Jordan Smith, worked Thursday night. He's missed much of the season with a toe injury.
Blue Jay to start: These are must-win games for the Lugnuts as they battle down to the wire for a first-half Midwest League playoff spot. They'll get a boost tonight with Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch scheduled to throw three innings on a rehab assignment.
Hamilton streaking: Dragons shortstop Billy Hamilton entered play hitting .319 over his last 18 games, raising his batting average from .195 to .230. Yet somehow, despite leading all of professional baseball with 53 stolen bases, the Reds' top prospect is not a Midwest League All-Star.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@ DaytonDailyNews.com
About the Author