Price, Hot Rods Squeezed In Extras
Published on July 16, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Davenport, IA - A perfectly executed safety squeeze in the top of the 11th inning gave the Hot Rods (9-13, 50-42) a 7-6 lead over the Quad Cities River Bandits (13-9, 53-38) on Saturday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Unfortunately, Quad Cities answered with a run in the bottom of the frame before grabbing another in the 12th for an 8-7 series-opening win over Bowling Green. The Hot Rods have lost five straight for the first time this year and are now 1-6 with two games remaining on this nine-game road trip.
The extra-innings intensity started in the top of the eleventh inning in a 6-6 game against Quad Cities pitcher Iden Nazario (W; 1-0). With one out Phil Wunderlich walked before being replaced by pinch-runner Nick Schwaner. After a single from Julio Cedeno, Schwaner took third on a wild pitch. Robby Price followed with a perfect safety squeeze bunt to score Schwaner and give the Hot Rods a 7-6 lead.
Quad Cities came right back in the bottom of the inning against Austin Hubbard, who was working his third inning of relief. With one out, a walk and a single led to a run-scoring single from Packy Elkins to tie the game at 7-7.
In the twelfth, the Hot Rods went down in order to set up the game-winning rally by the River Bandits. With one out, Jimmy Patterson (L; 5-3) gave up a double to Oscar Taveras. A groundout and an intentional walk followed before Michael Swinson - who scored the tying run an inning earlier - singled weakly through the left side to plate Taveras for the 8-7 triumph.
After two innings, it looked like it was going to be another long night - in a negative way - for Bowling Green. With two outs in the second, starter Enny Romero gave up two groundball singles followed by three consecutive walks to give Quad Cities a 2-0 lead.
The Hot Rods weren't having any of it, however. In the top of the third, Phil Wunderlich doubled before Julio Cedeno smashed a long home run on the next pitch from starter Zach Russell to tie the game at 2-2.
An inning later, some good base-running gave the Hot Rods the lead. Luke Bailey reached on a one-out error, taking second on a sacrifice from Kevin Kiermaier. During the next at-bat, Bailey took third on a wild pitch, making a good read on a ball in the dirt. This proved pivotal as Cody Rogers delivered with an infield single to plate Bailey for a 3-2 Hot Rods lead.
Bowling Green added to that lead with a three-run fifth. Derek Dietrich single and then took second on a balk to begin the inning. After a groundout moved Dietrich to third, Cedeno drove him in for his third RBI, reaching on an error himself for a 4-2 lead. Robby Price followed with a double before Steve Tinoco plated another run to make it 5-2. A subsequent groundout by Bailey pushed the lead to 6-2.
Quad Cities scored the next four runs, grabbing three (two earned) on three hits and an error in the bottom of the fifth. A two-out RBI single surrendered by Nate Garcia tied the game in the seventh at 6-6.
The teams now meet up for the middle game of the series on Sunday afternoon at 2 PM. LHP Braulio Lara (3-7, 4.59) takes the ball against Quad Cities RHP Boone Whiting (1-1, 1.98). You can follow the game with Tom Gauthier at 1:35 PM on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.
Hot Rods Playoff Strips are on sale now. Bowling Green will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) of the first round playoff series on September 8 and 9 at Bowling Green Ballpark. 2011 Playoff Ticket Strips include a box seat to all six potential home playoff games and a limited edition Hot Rods Playoff T-Shirt for just $60. For more information, visit www.bghotrods.com.
Midwest League Stories from July 16, 2011
- The River Bandits win series opener 8-7 in 12 innings - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Price, Hot Rods Squeezed In Extras - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- TinCaps work extras to beat Chiefs, 4-3 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Chiefs Lose 4-3 Saturday - Peoria Chiefs
- Perez, Lugnuts outlast Kings in 11th, 8-5 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Kernels score three late to down Dayton, 5-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Jones Powers Whitecaps Past Snappers - Beloit Sky Carp
- South Bend edges Rattlers, 5-4 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Long and Nester Shine In 7-5 Win - Burlington Bees
- Perez Lifts Lugnuts in 11th Inning - Clinton LumberKings
- Cedar Rapids drops Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Hagens, Homers Help Hawks Hold On - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Captains Rally Falls Short in Bees 7-5 Win - Lake County Captains
- Cougars' Losing Skid Hits Four - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs Receive OF Taiwan Easterling From Mesa - Peoria Chiefs
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