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Updated: 11:26 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011 | Posted: 11:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011

Dragons pitchers set MWL record

Staff registers most strikeouts in a single season in league history.

By B.J. Bethel

Staff Writer

DAYTON — In a season that’s seen records tumble one after another, the Dayton Dragons kept adding to the list on Sunday.

The Midwest League team strikeout record had been held by Wisconsin since 1998. Dayton needed four strikeouts to claim it, and did so when Dragons starter Kyle Lotzkar struck out Oliver Dominguez in the second inning of a 5-4 loss to Lansing.

“It was a big accomplishment for the guys,” Dayton pitching coach Tony Fossas said. “It would have been nice to go out with the win, but it was a big accomplishment.”

Wisconsin held the record with 1,274. Dayton had 1,271 going into the game.

The Dragons have been setting marks all season. On Saturday, shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 100th base and became just the 12th player in minor league history to do so. The team broke the all-time sellout streak in professional sports in July when it sold out its 815th consecutive game.

Strikeouts have been the hallmark of a versatile staff, especially the starting rotation. Through Saturday’s game, three Dayton starters led the Midwest League in strikeouts. The top two in the rotation — Josh Smith and Daniel Corcino — are first and second in the league. Former Dayton starter Daniel Renken is still third, despite not being with the team since a call-up several weeks ago. He now resides on the disabled list in Bakersfield.

But call-ups have been few and Dayton has kept most of its roster intact during the season. It also received a supply of talent to its roster courtesy of the parent-club Cincinnati Reds.

“The Reds have supplied us with good arms and good pitchers,” Fossas said. “For most of the season, they’ve had good tempo and they’ve stayed ahead of hitters. They are able to throw their breaking balls for strikes and can expand the zone when they’ve had to. They’ve done a good job until now of doing that.”

Dayton still has one major record on its radar — team wins. The Dragons are tied for the team record with 82.

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