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Bowling Green Hot Rods

Bowling Green Hot Rods Game Notes (at Burlington)

May 6, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green Hot Rods (15-13, 15-13) vs. Burlington Bees (11-16, 11-16)

LHP Michael Velasquez (0-3, 6.00 ERA) vs. RHP Jaime Barria (3-1, 2.35 ERA)

Bowling Green Hot Rods - Class-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays

Friday, May 6, 2016

Game #29 of #140 - 6:30 p.m.

Community Field - Burlington, IA

Last Game: Starting up the second leg of a week-long roadtrip and a three-game series at Community Field, the Bowling Green won their series opener against the Burlington Bees by a score of 2-0 on Thursday. The Hot Rods have now won 3 straight games on the road for the first time since 6/5/15.

NEWS AND NOTES

Hot Rods Roster Breakdown: Of the 25 men on the Hot Rods roster, four of the players on the Hot Rods roster have converted to new positions, with Brett Sullivan converting from third base to catcher, Taylor Hawkins converting from catcher to a knuckleball pitcher, Joe McCarthy converted to first base from the outfield and Jake Cronenworth converting to shortstop full-time after spending the majority of his first pro season and college career at University of Michigan at either second or third base.

Baseball Prospectus: According to MLB.com, the Hot Rods have two of the Rays top-30 prospects in the organization. Those players are 3B Kevin Padlo (#21) and Mujica (#27). Padlo came over from the Rockies this past offseason in the trade that sent big league closer Jake McGee and former Hot Rods pitcher German Marquez to Colorado with standout outfielder Corey Dickerson heading over to the Rays. A Rockies 5th round pick in 2014, Padlo was named a 2015 Northwest League all-star last season with the Boise Hawks. Aside from Padlo and Mujica, both OF Zacrey Law (w/Princeton - Appalachian League) and Cronenworth (w/Hudson Valley - NY/Penn League) were named the MVP of their respective teams last year.

Meet the Coaches: For the second straight year, Reinaldo Ruiz will be the manager of the Hot Rods. Ruiz, 36, went 69-69 in his first year as a Midwest League skipper. Joining Ruiz for another season is pitching coach Bill Moloney, who is returning for his third season overall in his second stint with Bowling Green. Moloney was also the pitching coach in Port Charlotte (High-A, Rays) in 2013 following his first season with the Hot Rods. Rounding out the coaching staff is hitting coach Manny Castillo, a longtime fixture in the Rays organization. Castillo is returning for his second stint in Bowling Green, having served as the coach for the Hot Rods for four seasons (2010-2013). During his two-year hiatus from the Hot Rods, he has been tutoring the young hitters for the Rays in Hudson Valley, NY (New York-Penn League). The 2016 season will be former major leaguer's 19th season with the Tampa Bay Rays and 41st in professional baseball.

Midwest League Player of the Week: On Monday, Hot Rods OF Manny Sanchez was named the Midwest League Player of the Week from April 25 - May 1. In six games, Sanchez was 9-for-22 (.409) at the plate with two homers, five RBI and seven runs scored. He's the first Hot Rods player to earn the nod since Hunter Lockwood (June 29) last season.

Road Reprieve: Sporting an 8-4 record at Bowling Green Ballpark this year, the Hot Rods are now 7-9 away from Southcentral Kentucky this year and have now won three straight road games for the first time since last year (June 6 - 8) in a three-game sweep at Clinton.

Promotion Motion: On Saturday, RHP Ian Gibaut was the first 2016 Hot Rods player promoted to a higher level as he was transferred to High-A Port Charlotte. With the Hot Rods, Gibaut was 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA in seven appearances, giving up just one run in 9.1 innings pitched while striking out 18 batters.

Vs. Burlington: Coming into the 2016, the Hot Rods and Bees have traded home-field advantage, sweeping each other at their home parks (2015 in BG, 2014 in BUR). The Hot Rods did sweep Bees in Burlington in 2012.

Transactions: Since April 18, four Hot Rods players were placed on the disabled list (Joe McCarthy, Alexis Tapia, Angel Yepez and Cameron Varga). They have been replaced by RHP Armando Bastardo and RHP Tyler Brashears along with RHP Yonny Chirinos, who began the season at Port Charlotte (A+), going 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four games with the Stonecrabs. C Danny De La Calle and RHP Yoel Espinal were also added to Hot Rods roster this week.

Leaders in the Clubhouse: Statistically speaking, the Hot Rods offense lead the league in walks runs scored (154), walks (114), stolen bases (41), are tied for the league lead in homers (13) and are second in batting average (.269). Individually, Jacob Cronenworth leads Midwest League with 39 hits and is tied for the league lead with 25 runs scored while ranking second in the league in batting average (.402), on-base percentage (.500).

News and Notes: The Hot Rods have scored 11 or more runs in a game more times this year (four) than all of last season (three)... Jacob Cronenworth has gotten on base in all 24 games he's played in this season... Bowling Green tied a franchise-record with 7 doubles on 4/26 vs. CLI (Last set: 7/20/15 vs. LC)... Kevin Padlo's 7th inning HR against Peoria on 5/3 traveled 443 ft, the longest hit by any Hot Rods player this season... RHP Taylor Hawkins earned his first ever pro win on the mound with two scoreless innings of relief on 5/3 at Peoria... The Hot Rods Bullpen has not given up a run in their last 14 innings pitched.

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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.

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