Dragons GameDay Sunday, June 2, 2019 Game # 57 Fifth Third Field Dayton, Ohio 2:08 p.m. TV: Dayton’s CW (26) Radio: Fox Sports 980 WONE South Bend Cubs (30-24) at Dayton Dragons (17-39) RH Cam Sanders (3-2, 2.09) vs. LH Connor Curlis (1-1, 2.79) Today’s Game: The Dayton Dragons (affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) meet the South Bend Cubs (affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) in the last game of a three-game series. 2019 Season Series: South Bend 4, Dayton 2. At Dayton: Dragons 1, Cubs 1. Streaks: The Dragons have lost nine of their last 11 games and 19 of their last 24 (includes suspended game). Last Game: Saturday: South Bend 2, Dayton 1. In a game that featured three solo home runs accounting for all the scoring, South Bend broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth and held off a Dragons comeback effort. Michael Siani hit a home run in the fourth for the Dragons that tied the game at 1-1, but the Dragons had only one other hit on the night, an eighth inning single by Juan Martinez. Team Notes Dragons pitchers have walked only 11 batters in 45 innings over five games on the current home stand, an average of 2.2 per game. Dragons pitchers have allowed just 10 runs in four games on the current home stand, excluding Thursday’s game when they allowed nine. Dragons relievers have improved since May 1, posting an ERA of 3.59 (123 IP, 49 ER) and lowering their season ERA from 5.70 to 4.68. Dragons starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 5.20 on the year. The Dragons are 0-10 in day games and have been outscored 88-27. The Dragons finished the month of May with a team batting average of .209 (31 games), narrowly breaking the club record for lowest batting average in a month set in April of 2016 (.2087 to .2086; records by month go back to 2005). In the month, they ranked 16th (last) in the league in runs scored, batting average, doubles, walks, total bases, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and stolen bases. They were 5th in home runs with 21. The team ERA in May was 4.47 (13th in the league during the month). The Dragons team record in May was 9-22. Note: The suspended game on May 21 is recorded as an April 14 game. Over the last seven days, the Dragons are batting .205 to rank 15th in the MWL, and they are 14th in runs scored. They have hit seven home runs to rank tied for second in the league. They are 8th in team ERA (3.98). Their 16 walks allowed is second fewest. The Dragons have lost 12 games in which they held a lead of at least two runs at some point during the game, and they have lost seven games after leading by at least three runs. They have lost two games in which they led by four runs, and one game after a five-run lead. In the seven games when the Dragons lost despite leading by at least three runs, they scored a combined total of one run in 43 innings after building their largest lead. Dragons relievers have successfully converted 11 save opportunities this season and have been charged with eight blown saves. Individual Notes Morgan Lofstrom over his last seven games is batting .450 (9 for 20), 1 HR, 5 RBI. Pabel Manzanero is batting .365 (19 for 52) over his last 14 games. Michael Siani over his last seven games is 8 for 24 (.333) with two home runs, two doubles, one triple, and three singles. Reliever Matt Pidich over his last five games: 10 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 9 SO. Team Leaders in May: Among the nine Dragons players with at least 50 at-bats in May, Pabel Manzanero led the team with a .304 batting average. He hit two home runs with 12 RBI. Brian Rey led the team in home runs with four and his .832 OPS led the club. Morgan Lofstrom had only 39 at- bats in May but batted .308 with an .880 OPS. On the mound, Matt Pidich had an ERA of 2.08 in 17.1 innings. *Pabel Manzanero hit three home runs in a game on April 23 to become the fourth player in Dragons history to do so. He joins Wily Mo Pena (2001), Juan Francisco (2007), and Byron Wiley (2009). *Five members of the Dragons are rated among the Reds top 30 prospects (Baseball America). They are OF Michael Siani (#8); OF Mariel Bautista (#16); RHP Lyon Richardson (#17); RHP James Marinan (#19); and 3B Juan Martinez (#22). Additionally, SS Miguel Hernandez is ranked #25 by Fangraphs.com. Upcoming Probable Pitchers (Game times are Dayton time) (All games on WONE 980 AM and www.daytondragons.com) Monday, June 3: Do Not Play Tuesday, June 4 (7:05 p.m.): Dayton RH Ricky Salinas (1-3, 5.93) at West Michigan TBA Wednesday, June 5 (7:05 p.m.): Dayton RH Jhon De Jesus (1-5, 5.88) at West Michigan TBA Thursday, June 6 (7:05 p.m.): Dayton RH James Marinan (2-6, 5.13) at West Michigan TBA In response to the widespread damage caused by the weather emergency on the night of May 27th, the Dayton Dragons will be accepting non-perishable food items at Fifth Third Field for all six games on the current home stand. Cash donations will also be accepted. All non-perishable food items collected at Fifth Third Field through June 2 will be donated to the Foodbank, Inc. Additionally, the Dragons will conduct a “pass the bucket” at each game during this home stand for fans wishing to donate money. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross, Dayton Chapter. All fans with tickets to any of the six games on the current home stand (May 28-June 2) who are unable to attend the game due to issues related to the weather damage may exchange their ticket to any future Dragons game in 2019 (based on availability). TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER CONNOR CURLIS Height: 6-1 Bats: L Birthdate: January 29, 1996 Acquired: Reds 24th round selection, 2018 draft Weight: 180 Throws: L College: Ohio State Resides: Findlay, Ohio Joined Dragons on May 20 from extended spring training. Notes: Played three seasons at Ohio State University…Buckeyes top starting pitcher as a junior in 2016, going 7-4 with a 3.55 ERA in 17 games (16 starts)…Played at Findlay High School in Ohio…2015 Three Rivers Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. Career Pitching Statistics Season League Team W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR HBP BB SO WHIP 2018 PIO Billings 3 0 4.56 16 1 0 25 23 16 13 1 2 10 33 1.30 Career 3 0 4.56 16 1 0 25 23 16 13 1 2 10 33 1.30 Curlis in 2019 with Dayton Date Opp W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WP TBF NP-S 5/20/2019 Lake County Captains 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 9 - 5 5/23/2019 Lake County Captains 0 1 3.86 1 1 0 4 4 2 2 1 0 2 7 0 18 80 - 48 5/28/2019 Lansing Lugnuts 1 0 2.79 1 1 0 5 5 1 1 1 1 0 3 0 20 74 - 45 Total 1 1 2.79 3 2 0 9.2 10 3 3 2 1 2 10 0 41 163 - 98 Curlis in 2018 with Billings (Pioneer League) Date Opponent W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WP BK NP-S 6/16/2018 Missoula Osprey 0 0 6.75 1 0 0 1.1 1 1 1 1 0 0 3 0 0 19 - 14 6/21/2018 @Great Falls Voyagers 0 0 7.71 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 30 - 14 6/24/2018 @Helena Brewers 0 0 10.13 1 0 0 0.1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 N/A - N/A 6/27/2018 Great Falls Voyagers 0 0 18.00 1 0 0 0.1 2 3 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 22 - 13 7/2/2018 @Missoula Osprey 0 0 10.80 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 3 1 0 49 - 32 7/7/2018 @Helena Brewers 0 0 7.71 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 31 - 19 7/12/2018 Grand Junction Rockies 1 0 5.79 1 0 0 2.1 1 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 44 - 26 7/18/2018 @Grand Junction Rockies 0 0 5.56 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 35 - 22 7/22/2018 @Orem Owlz 0 0 4.40 1 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 41 - 23 7/29/2018 Missoula Osprey 0 0 3.86 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 32 - 20 8/4/2018 @Helena Brewers 1 0 4.67 1 0 0 1 3 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 18 - 12 8/12/2018 Ogden Raptors 0 0 6.62 1 0 0 0.1 2 4 4 0 0 2 1 0 0 25 - 14 8/20/2018 @Idaho Falls Chukars 0 0 6.27 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 23 - 18 8/26/2018 Helena Brewers 0 0 5.95 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 20 - 12 9/1/2018 @Great Falls Voyagers 0 0 5.24 1 0 0 2.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 48 - 27 9/6/2018 Great Falls Voyagers 1 0 4.56 1 0 0 3.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 49 - 32 Total 3 0 4.56 16 1 0 25.2 23 16 13 1 2 10 33 1 0 Dragons Starting Pitching Rotation (in order of use) Ricky Salinas (RHP): Reds 2018 25th round pick, Rice University…2018 at Billings: 2-2, 4.53, 14 GS.