Hot Rods hold on to beat Legends 5-3

The Legends were trailing 5-2 in the ninth with two out and runners at first and second when pinch-hitter Steve Brown made a bid for a game-tying home run. His drive to right center field was just short of home-run distance, and he had to settle for a double that scored one run to make the score 5-3 and left runners at second and third. Bowling Green reliever Jeff Satow then got the final out to earn his fourth save.

Bowling Green took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. After loading the bases on two singles and a walk, the Hot Rods scored twice when the Legends tried for a double play on a ground ball to shortstop. Kyeong Kang came home from third as shortstop Ronnie Ramirez threw to second baseman Andy Semunic to get a force at second base. Simunic's relay throw went past first base for an error, allowing a second run to score.

The Legends cut the lead in half in the third. Singles by Simunic and Eric Suttle put runners at first and second with two out, and Freddie Hernandez then singled to right to score Simunic.

Bowling Green added to its lead in the fifth. Robi Estrada reached first on an error by pitcher Robert Bono, and Anthony Scelfo followed with a triple to left center to score Estrada. Scelfo came home on Tim Beckham's infield out to give the Hot Rods a 5-1 lead. The Legends scored once in the eighth on Brian Pellegrini's two-out double, but they left runners stranded at second and third, as they did in the ninth after Brown's hit.

Bowling Green starter Shane Dyer (1-3) got his first win of the year. Bono (5-2) was the starting and losing pitcher for Lexington. He allowed four runs, but only one earned run, in six innings.

Bowling Green and Lexington will meet Wednesday night in the second of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. Eastern time.

• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
Tweet

South Atlantic League Stories from June 3, 2009

• RiverDogs Edge Sand Gnats in 12 Innings, 4-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
• Error Leads to 'Dogs Victory - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Intimidators Score Five in Ninth for 7-6 Win - Kannapolis Intimidators
• Power Collapse in the Ninth - West Virginia Power
• Huntzinger Mows Down Tourists as Drive Win 7-4 - Greenville Drive
• GreenJackets Shut Out Rome - Rome Braves
• Loree Fires Seven Shutout Innings in 5-0 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
• BlueClaws Game Suspended - Lakewood BlueClaws
• Rain Suspends Suns and Captains in Fourth - Hagerstown Suns
• Legends-Hot Rods Rained Out - Lexington Legends
• Fan will win helicopter ride at Friday's game - Lexington Legends
• Six Days of "Fun is Good" Set at The Joe - Charleston RiverDogs
• Kaplan and Johnson Headed Up To St. Lucie - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Charleston's Finest to Challenge Charleston's Bravest in Softball at Riley Park - Charleston RiverDogs
• First Place BlueClaws Back Monday - Lakewood BlueClaws
• Hot Rods holding 'Relay for Life' Fundraiser - Bowling Green Hot Rods
• Hot Rods holding 'Relay for Life' Fundraiser - Bowling Green Hot Rods
• Hot Rods hold on to beat Legends 5-3 - Lexington Legends

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.