MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

'Pen Saves Hot Rods in Sweep over Loons

Published on August 17, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Midland, MI - Despite losing starter Jake Floehte to an injury after just three innings, the Bowling Green Hot Rods (33-20, 71-52) won 2-1 over the Great Lakes Loons (23-30, 57-66) on Friday night at Dow Diamond. Four Hot Rods relievers scattered two hits over six frames to lead the team to their fourth straight win and a three-game sweep over the Loons. The victory also sends the Hot Rods to 19 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

Just two batters into the game, the Hot Rods took a 1-0 lead. Ryan Brett lined a leadoff double into the gap in right-centerfield. After a Brett steal of third base, Hot Rods RBI-leader Jake Hager flied to right to score Brett, driving in his 65th run of the season.

The Loons answered with a run in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI-groundout from Pedro Guerrero. Unfortunately, that was the final inning for Hot Rods starter Jake Floethe, who left the game with an injury while warming up before the start of the bottom of the fourth.

Reliever Justin Woodall entered the game and began a promising stretch for the Hot Rods bullpen. After the lefty hurled a scoreless fourth, Juniel Querecuto doubled and advanced to third on an error with one out in the top of the fifth. The next batter was Tyler Goeddel, who lined a single to right field through the drawn-in infield to give the Hot Rods a 2-1 advantage in the fifth.

In the second half of the contest, both teams stranded multiple opportunities to break the 2-1 deadlock. Looking to add insurance late, the Hot Rods stranded the bases loaded in both the eighth and the ninth innings. It did not matter, however, because the Bowling Green bullpen refused to budge.

The Bowling Green "˜pen kept their team in the 2-1 advantage, holding the Loons to 0-8 with runners in scoring position. In the three-game Hot Rods sweep, the Loons were a combined 0-22 with runners in the category. Woodall, Stayton Thomas, Shay Crawford, and Austin Hubbard allowed just two hits in six innings. Hubbard struck out James Baldwin with the tying run at second base in the bottom of the ninth to secure the sweep and his 19th save. Woodall earned the win, while both Thomas and Crawford were awarded holds.

With the 5-1 road trip behind them, the Hot Rods return to Bowling Green Ballpark to begin a seven-game homestand. The first of a four-game set with the South Bend Silver Hawks (Future Diamondbacks) begins at 7:05 PM on Saturday night. The Hot Rods will give the pearl to RHP Roberto Gomez (9-3, 2.59), while the Silver Hawks will counter with RHP Andrew Barbosa (2-3, 3.89).

Tune in to the game on WLYE-FM Glasgow Real Country Willie 94.1. The Forever Communications Pregame Show with Hank Fuerst begins at 6:45 PM.

Saturday night features a Postgame Fireworks show presented by Candlewood Suites, Daymar College, and WBKO. To purchase tickets, log on to BGHotRods.com or call (270)-901-2121.

Check out the Bowling Green Hot Rods Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from August 17, 2012


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