Dayton Dragons Split Series with Cubs as Lodolo and Lorant Shine The Dayton Dragons secured a 3-0 victory over the South Bend Cubs on Sunday, April 25, 2026, to split a six-game series and boost their record to 10-10. The win was driven by standout performances from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo and Dragons regular starter Nestor Lorant, who combined for a four-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts. Lodolo, returning from a blister on his left index finger, pitched five strong innings, while Lorant dominated the final four frames to lead the Dragons to their second straight win. Lodolo, who had been on the injured list since the start of the season, made his first rehab appearance since returning from injury. He allowed two hits and struck out seven, showcasing his effectiveness with 51 pitches, including 39 strikes. The Reds had planned for him to pitch four innings, but his efficiency allowed him to complete the fifth inning, finishing with a 3-0 lead. “I was just aggressive to the heater, and I got it top of the zone,” said Kien Vu, who hit a solo home run in the first inning. “I’m just trying to put a barrel on the ball, and I’m glad to see that it was in the air and it was a barrel. And those usually result in good things.” Lorant, the Dragons’ Sunday starter, pitched the final four innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight. His performance included a dominant stretch from the last out of the sixth to the first out of the eighth, where he struck out five consecutive Cubs. He lowered his season ERA from 4.50 to 3.50, marking a significant turnaround after a 2025 season where he struggled with a 5.79 ERA. “His changeup was working really good today, and his fastball has a late life as well,” manager Julio Morillo said.#nick_lodolo #dayton_dragons #south_bend_cubs #nestor_lorant #julio_morillo
