In a see-saw affair, the Dayton Dragons rallied in the final two innings to get a comeback from behind win in the Midwest League matchup against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Curaçaoan Hendrik Clementina played a huge part in this 9-5 win. Serving as a DH, Hendrik went 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI.
The TinCaps took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when hit a grounder to left field and drove in Jeisson Rosario from second base.
The Dragons, the A Full Season affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, were kept in check by Tom Cosgrove in the first four innings but thanks to their patient lineup, the offense did something back in the fifth inning. With runners on third and second, Hendrik grounded to left field and drove in Narisco Crook. With the bases loaded, Michael Beltre walked in the next run. A third run was walked in by Montrel Marshall.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the offense of the TinCaps exploded. Five singles, a throwing error, and a home run lead to four runs and the lead.
But once again, the Dragons’ offense flexed its muscles and thanks to Hendrik’s line drive double to left field, the Dragons tied the game in the top of the eighth inning.
One inning later the Dragons pushed once more and scored four times thanks to three singles, a walk, an HBP and a sac fly.
Hendriks third base hit came in the sixth inning when he singled to center field, but he was the only Dragon to get a base hit in that frame, so the hit was only useful for the record books.
In the twelve games the Dragons played so far, Hendrik appeared in seven of them. He is having a great season so far in which his batting average is well above .400 for most of the time. Hendrik played only three games behind the dish so far. Even though he is playing flawless defense, he hasn’t managed to throw out a base stealer yet.
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