An Opener to forget for Dayton on the field, not off…
Posted on 10. Apr, 2009 by Corey in Dayton Dragons Baseball.
The great thing about the game of baseball is that the next game is only hours away. Yesterday’s game can be forgotten with a good one today, and that is what the Dayton Dragons hope they can accomplish.
For the second straight season the Dragons were defeated by the Great Lakes Loons, this time in front of a sellout home crowd on a beautiful night for baseball. The Loons scored four runs in the second and never looked back on the way to a 17 hit performance, winning the game 14-3.
The game took over three and half hours to play and featured three Dragon errors, leading to five unearned runs. A bright spot for the pitching staff of Dayton was that they struck out 12 Loons batters.
In typical Dayton Dragons fashion, the crowd was treated to a great night of opening events. Three skydivers entered the stadium prior to the game, and one landed on the field with the ceremonial baseball for the first pitch. Each member of the team, both players and staff, were introduced and stood on the baselines to a great crowd ovation. A highlight of the pregame festivities was during the National Anthem when two fighter jets from nearby Wright Patterson Air force Base flew over Fifth Third Field.
There is no doubt that the next 69 home contests, plus some hopeful playoff games, will go as smoothly as opening day in Dayton. Fans only request is that the Dragons perform a little better, which I would bet they do.
Josh Ravin takes the bump for the Dragons in game two against the Loons and will be opposed by right-hander Ethan Martin. Martin was the 15th player selected overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft. Ravin, a fifth round draft pick in 2006, will look to build upon a great spring and even the Dragons season record after two games.
UPDATE: The Loons starting pitcher will now be Bobby Blevins, and Martin will pitch on Saturday
Maybe the Reds need to take note form the Dragons on how to get people in the park. I must admit that it is a lot more FUN to attend a Dragon game then a Reds game. Thanks for all your info and keep it coming. We love reading it everyday.
You said it there…The Dragons find a way to get people in the stands, but the Reds stadium does hold 5 times the amount…I always say, for the most part win and they will come…