Vasquez leads Dragons to 8-2 win over first-place Whitecaps

The Dayton Dragons routed host West Michigan 8-2 on Monday to split a four-game series with the first-place Whitecaps.

The Dragons (38-25) are three games behind West Michigan with seven games to play in the first half of the season. Dayton entered play Monday tied for second with South Bend. The top two teams in the first half earn playoff berths.

Dayton was led by James Vasquez (two hits, four RBI) and starting pitcher Ty Boyles (six innings, two runs). Brantley Bell added two hits and Taylor Trammell scored a pair of runs.

The Dragons return home Tuesday to open a three-day, four-game series vs. Great Lakes. The Dragons and Loons will play a doubleheader on Tuesday, with the first game starting at 6 p.m.

Reds starter Homer Bailey will start Wednesday’s game for Dayton on a rehab assignment.

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