Dragons defeated Cedar Rapids last night 10-4.
Reds Minor League pitcher of the month for April, Johnny Cueto started, but struggled, giving up 4 earned runs in 3 innings while surrendering 6 hits. Most of the damage was done by Jordan Renz, the Kernels DH, who had a homer and double, driving in 3 of the 4 runs in his first two at bats.
But Bo Lanier came on in the 4th and gave the Dragons 4 shutout innings of great relief to get the win. He allowed only one hit and one walk in his appearance, giving way to Wayne Lundgren, who pitched shutout innings in the 8th and 9th.
But the big story of the evening was the long ball for the Dragons. They were led by “The Kid”, Jay Bruce, who had his first two homer game of his Dayton career (possibly his professional career) with 2 – 2 run homers. The were his 6th and 7th of the year and his 4th and 5th of May. Also homering last night for the Dragons was Eric Eymann and Paul Janish. Janish also had two doubles to accompany his homer, going 3-4 on the night.
After last night, Janish has his average at .407 and his OPS is 1.081. He is leading the MWL in both categories.
I was somewhat surprised that when Adam Rosales was placed on the DL in Sarasota that Janish wasn’t called up to take his place. I thought at the time that his defense might be holding him back, but don’t know how much longer he can be kept in Dayton. His defense is sometimes a little suspect, but offensively has doesn’t seem to have anything left to prove at this level.
I’m also curious to see how long the Reds leave Bruce here also. Bruce’s OPS is up to .961 after a little over a month in the MWL and you have to wonder how soon the Reds will move him up to Sarasota. I’m guessing that he’ll be in Dayton until after the MWL All Star break in June.
The Dragons have won 14 of their last 21 after a 2-8 start.
I’ve never seen him play, but I’ve always heard that Janish played outstanding defense and the only question was whether his bat would come around.
Okay. Baseball America said that he is the Reds best defensive infielder, but maybe the Reds just don’t have much depth in that category, though William Bergolla is supposed to play a pretty slick 2B.