When Dragons players arrive at Fifth Third Field, they check the daily schedule hanging outside manager Luis Bolivar’s office.
First thing on the list: “Don’t fight the fun.”
“You can’t fight the fun,” Bolivar said with a huge smile. “You got to have fun out there.”
The Dragons had more fun Thursday night, opening a three-game set with Quad Cities with a 5-3 win, marking their 12th win in the last 14 games and pushing their minor league-leading win total to 23.
“We had a tough loss (Wednesday),” Bolivar said. “But we got to go out and play again and we played the right way and came out with the win.”
After giving up a run in the first, the Dragons put three on the board in the home half on an RBI single by Jose Siri, a sac fly by Tyler Stephenson and a home run to left by John Sansone and never trailed again.
The Dragons got RBIs from four players, and Taylor Trammell scored on a wild pitch.
“One of the signs of a good team is they pick each other up,” Bolivar said. “When one doesn’t get the job done, another one does and that is a beautiful way to do it.”
Dragons tales
• There is a new atmosphere in the clubhouse thanks to card tables stationed at each end of the room that attract a constant stream of plyers seeking to relax before games.
Former Dragons outfielder Jesse Winker once led street hockey games in the clubhouse, so this is different.
• Reliever Aaron Fossas, who signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest University, is the nephew of former Dragons pitching coach and longtime major-leaguer Tony Fossas. So far he’s made his uncle proud, allowing one earned run in 20 2/3 innings for a 0.44 ERA.
“The Reds called after the draft (last June) and I was like, where do I sign?” Fossass said. “It has been a whirlwind for sure.
“It’s been a trip, but it’s been a fun one for me. This was my dream growing up.”
At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, the Dudley, Massachusetts native knows he is undersized but credits the work ethic his uncle instilled in him at an early age.
“He was always big on letting me develop on my own and finding out who I was as a player,” Fossas said. “But the mental aspect is what he taught me and how much hard work it took.
“He told me there were people out there better than me who were working harder than me and showed me what it takes.”
Fossas in the Reds’ minor league pitching coordinator now.
“It has been cool having him around, but it is professional when he’s here,” Fossas said. “I want to do everything on my own merit. It (the last name) is definitely on my mind, but there is no negative association with it.”
• The Dragons and River Bandits hook up for the second game of the three game set at 7 p.m. today.
Andrew Jordan (3-3, 4.75) looks to get over the .500 mark for the Dragons while Quad Cities counters with Jorge Alcala (2-0, 2.22).
About the Author