TinCaps 2, Dragons 1
Highlights: Dragons right-fielder Cameron Satterwhite singled in the fourth, extending his hitting streak to 15 games (equaling the third longest streak in team history).
Turning point: The TinCaps broke a 1-1 tie with back-to-back doubles in the sixth. The Dragons got a one-out double by Henry Rodriguez in the eighth, but Ryan LaMarre and Satterwhite both lined out. Two reached base with two outs in the ninth, but Alex Oliveras grounded out.
Pitching story: Dayton starter Ricky Bowen, who reaching 95 mph at times, pitched reasonably well despite taking the loss. He went 51/3 innings, giving up seven hits, two runs (one earned) with five strikeouts and no walks.
On deck: Dragons starter Tim Crabbe looks to continue his torrid pace against the TinCaps today. He hasn't allowed a run and has given up just five hits over his last four games, covering 17 innings. He's whiffed 20 in that span.
— Doug Harris, staff writer
DAYTON — Relief pitcher Kevin Arico was the NCAA Division I saves leader this season at Virginia, but an arsenal that flummoxed so many college hitters will be getting a major overhaul as he launches his professional career with the Dayton Dragons today, June 30.
He had been relying heavily on his slider, a pitch many major-league clubs like to limit in the lower minor leagues because of the toll it takes on arms.
Asked what would happen if Arico threw primarily sliders in his maiden pro season, Dayton pitching coach Tony Fossas said, “I might get fired.”
The Dragons, who dropped a 2-1 decision to the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Tuesday, have scheduled just a one-inning relief stint for their 10th-round draft pick in tonight’s series finale. He won’t be rushed.
“I think he understands that college baseball is a lot different than professional baseball,” Fossas said. “He’s already seen so many pitchers using the fastball a lot more. He told me he threw 80 percent sliders, and every pitch was called from the dugout. He was not allowed to say no.
“I’ve been working with him on that part of the mental aspect because he needs to learn on his own. ... He’s going to have to call his game from now on.”
Fossas isn’t surprised Arico never cultivated a fastball in three seasons at Virginia.
“College coaches now are making pretty good money to win,” Fossas said. “Pitching coaches have tremendous jobs, especially the ones at major universities. They want to hang on to those jobs. If it takes you having a guy throw 90 percent sliders, you’ll have him throw 90 percent sliders — even though that kid won’t develop. You can’t get to the big leagues unless you throw a fastball.”
Ironically, Arico said the player he’d like to emulate is Nolan Ryan, the owner of seven no-hitters who was known for throwing heat.
“He’s definitely one of the guys who inspires me the most (because of) his competitive nature and the mentality he had toward baseball itself,” said the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Flemington, N.J., native.
Told whom Arico picked as his idol, Fossas smiled and said: “That’s a pretty good idol to have. He should read his book then.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris @DaytonDailyNews.com
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