The Dragons took a in the top of the first when Blake Dunn reached on an infield single, went to second on a wild pitch, to third on a groundout, and scored on Austin Hendrick’s groundout to third base to make it 1-0. Peoria responded with their only run of the day in the bottom of the first.
The Dragons (13-16) regained the lead in the fourth when Tyler Callihan opened the inning with a single to left and scored from first when Austin Callihan doubled off the right field fence and the Peoria right fielder threw wildly back to the infield to make it 2-1.
Rudd replaced Petty to start the fifth inning. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced and then retired the next 12, including seven on strikeouts.
With the Dragons still leading 2-1, Michael Trautwein delivered a two-out, three-run home run in the ninth to give Dayton a 5-1 lead. Benoit issued a lead-off walk in the bottom of the ninth but got a double play ball followed by a strikeout to end the game.
Rudd (3-2) earned the victory with four near-perfect innings of relief.
THURSDAY’S GAME
Dayton at Peoria, 7:35 p.m., 980
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