Dayton battled back with single runs in the third and fourth. An infield single from Cody Strait and balk by Wizards starter Vern Sterry (WP, 4-2) put Strait in scoring position. Phil Gentry reached on an infield single as his swinging bunt was fielded and then thrown away by catcher Colt Morton. The throwing error scored Strait and Dayton cut into the lead at 2-1. Chris Kroski’s RBI in the top half of the fourth inning tied the game at 2-2 as both managers were tossed for arguing calls with the umpires.
Fort Wayne picked up the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning off Alexander Farfan (LP, 2-6) on a pair of one out hits to put runners at first and second. Following an fly ball for to left for the second out of the inning, Baudilio Figueroa picked up a huge two out single to left to plate the go ahead run giving Fort Wayne a 3-2 lead.
The Wizards added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth off Carlos Bohorquez (ND) on an RBI double from Ciofrone. The hit scored Mora, who led off the inning with a walk.
Matt Varner (SV, 23) picked up his league leading 23rd save of the season shutting the Dragons down in the ninth.
The Dragons open up a three game series at Fifth Third Field Monday night verses the West Michigan Whitecaps. 1410 ESPN Radio WING AM carries the game live, beginning with the pre game show at 6:30 PM. Monday’s first pitch is 7:00 PM. RHP Ramon Ramirez gets the start for the Dragons, while West Michigan will counter with RHP Matt Righter.