Hot Rods Snatch Victory from 'Caps in Fifteen
Published on August 11, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Comstock Park, MI - Taylor Motter's single off the wall in left field broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the 15th inning, and the Bowling Green Hot Rods (29-19, 67-51) held on to beat the West Michigan Whitecaps (23-25, 59-59) 2-1 on Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. Motter's one-out single broke an 0-24 stretch for the Hot Rods with runners in scoring position, spanning 23 innings. Justin Woodall hurled the final five innings to earn his second win of the year.
The game was tied 1-1 from the bottom of the third inning to the top of the 15th. Bowling Green scored in the first inning on a Jeff Malm sacrifice fly to centerfield, and West Michigan answered with an Eugenio Suarez two-out RBI-single in the bottom of the third. The two teams then combined to strand 18 runners with the game tied 1-1.
In the bottom of the twelfth inning, the Whitecaps, as well as the 9,128 in attendance, believed the game to be over. Suarez reached on a two-out Tyler Goeddel error at third base. Then Aaron Westlake lined a double into the gap in right-centerfield, sending Suarez around third and to the plate. Suarez was then mobbed by teammates after apparently scoring the game-winning run.
However, Hot Rods pitcher Justin Woodall, who was backing up home, tossed to his catcher Matt Rice to appeal at home plate that Suarez did not touch the plate. The appeal was upheld by home plate umpire J.J. Bilinksi. Fifth Third Ballpark erupted into a frenzy, and the arguing Suarez was ejected from the game.
With the game all-of-the-sudden continuing, the stunned Whitecaps and the Hot Rods remained in the 1-1 tie until Motter delivered the clutch single in the top of the 15th inning. Woodall worked a 1-2-3 final frame to seal the dramatic victory to open the three-game series.
The game falls just short of two franchise records, lasting 4:32 in its 15 innings. The longest game in franchise history, in innings and minutes, occurred on August 30, 2009 when the Hot Rods fell to the Asheville Tourists 3-2 in 16 innings, taking 4:33 to complete.
The Hot Rods continue their a six-game, seven-day road trip on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 PM CDT at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, MI. Getting the start for the Hot Rods in the second game of the three-game set is LHP Felipe Rivero (9-3, 2.45). The Whitecaps are scheduled to counter with RHP Jeff Ferrell (4-4, 4.18).
Tune in to the game on the flagship station for the Hot Rods Radio Network, WBGN-AM 1340 "The Ticket," and online at 1340wbgn.com. The Forever Communications Pregame Show with Hank Fuerst begins at 11:40 AM CDT.
The Hot Rods return home on Saturday, August 18 to begin a seven-game homestand at Bowling Green Ballpark with the first of a four game set with the South Bend Silver Hawks (Future D-Backs) at 7:05 PM. To purchase tickets, log on to BGHotRods.com or call (270)-901-2121.
Midwest League Stories from August 11, 2012
- Ramirez delivers game-winning hit in the thirteenth - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Loons Suffer Extra-Innings Defeat - Great Lakes Loons
- Hot Rods Snatch Victory from 'Caps in Fifteen - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Chiefs Win 5-3 Saturday - Peoria Chiefs
- Lugnuts end skid with 4-3 12-inning win - Lansing Lugnuts
- Bad Luck Befalls Bees in 9-8 Loss to Bandits - Burlington Bees
- Soler's Blasts Ends Snappers' Winning Streak - Beloit Sky Carp
- River Bandits Win Late, 9-8, with Wild Comeback over Bees - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cougars clip Kernels, 4-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Groff, Hawks Power Past Captains - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Hawks Halt Captains 7-2 - Lake County Captains
- Dragons Battle Back to Win, 4-3 on Saturday - Dayton Dragons
- Wisler Shines in Fort Wayne Loss - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Cougars Clip Kernels - Kane County Cougars
- Reliever Crawford Joins Hot Rods, McEachern to D.L. - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Dragons Gameday for August 11 - Dayton Dragons
- Parking Advisory for August 12 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Aaron Meade to Inland Empire; Brandon Lodge activated from DL - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Chiefs Drop Finale in Burlington 10-5 - Peoria Chiefs
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.
