Dragons starting pitcher Lyon Richardson, the Cincinnati Reds’ second-round draft pick in 2018 out of Jensen Beach High School in Florida, pitched well in his Midwest League debut. He allowed a bases-loaded walk in the first inning, then retired the next 10 Fort Wayne batters. He left after four innings and 73 pitches, allowing one run on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Richardson was not involved in the decision.
The Dragons trailed 1-0 before taking the lead with two runs in the third. Reniel Ozuna doubled to start the inning, went to third on Michael Siani’s sacrifice, and scored on an error. Mariel Baustista’s sacrifice fly brought in Jonathan Willems later in the inning to make it 2-1. The Dragons scored again in the top of the sixth when Bren Spillane doubled to right and scored on a single by Miguel Hernandez to make it 3-1.
A double by Juan Martinez keyed a two-run ninth for the Dragons.
Dayton finished with eight hits by eight different players. Martinez, Spillane, and Ozuna each had a double.
The loss was charged to Dragons reliever Adrian Rodriguez (0-1), who worked 1.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Dragons' tales: Dayton (2-3) plays Fort Wayne (3-2) again at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday in the second game of the four-game series. Jared Solomon (0-1, 6.75) will start for Dayton as the Dragons begin their second turn through their pitching rotation.
Fort Wayne will counter with Angel Acevedo (0-0, 0.00). The Dragons’ next home game is Friday against the Lake County Captains (Cleveland Indians affiliate) at 7 p.m. at Fifth Third Field.
About the Author