West Michigan scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning to take the lead, then added two more in the second. Josh Ashenbrenners double over the head of center fielder Jefry Sierra brought in both runs to make it 3-0.
The Dragons scored in the third when Billy Hamilton singled in Sierra from second with two outs to make it 3-1. Hamilton stole second later in the inning, picking up his 95th steal of the year, but he was stranded at third when the Dragons left the bases loaded. West Michigan added an unearned run in the fifth to regain their three-run lead at 4-1 and then scored one in the ninth to close out the scoring.
Dragons starting pitcher Stalin Gerson worked the first five innings, allowing six hits and four runs (two earned) with one walk and three strikeouts. Gerson suffered the loss to fall to 5-2.
The Dragons finished with just four hits. Ronald Torreyes was 2 for 4. Hamilton extended his hitting streak to 10 straight games.
The Dragons host West Michigan at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. (WONE 980 AM) to wrap up the series. Kyle Lotzkar (3-1, 4.13) will start for Dayton against West Michigans Alex Burgos (6-4, 2.20). The Dragons begin a three-game series at Bowling Green on Wednesday night at 7:35 p.m.