FORT WAYNE – The Dayton Dragons clung to an early lead, tacked on some eighth-inning insurance and claimed the series opener with the TinCaps, 5-0, on Monday night at Parkview Field.

The Dragons (1-4 second half, 22-53 overall) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth, added a run in the seventh and three more in the eighth en route to the victory over the TinCaps (3-2, 39-36) in the first of four games.

Fort Wayne mustered just four hits, as Dragons starter Jacob Constante (W, 3-7) tossed six shutout innings, and reliever Jesus Reyes (S, 1) followed with three hitless frames.

TinCaps starter J.C. Cosme (L, 7-4) allowed one run in five innings.

Offensively for the home team, Jhonatan Peña’s streak of four consecutive games with a home run came to an end, but he still delivered a pair of singles.

Fort Wayne native, Notre Dame product and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith—a Bishop Luers High School graduate—signed autographs and threw out the first pitch before the game.

Next Game between the two clubs is Tuesday, June 28 at 7:05 p.m.