Bailey, Mateo Lead Hot Rods To 6th Straight Win
Published on June 14, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Bowling Green, KY - Luke Bailey launched a three-run homer onto Kentucky Street in the second inning and the Hot Rods (37-28) never looked back, running away from West Michigan (30-34) by an 8-4 score on Tuesday night. The team's sixth straight win pushed them to a franchise-high nine games over .500 and reduced their magic number in the playoff chase to four with five games to go.
The rout started in the bottom of the second inning as the Hot Rods exploded for a four-run frame against starter Brennan Smith (L; 1-3). Robby Price began the frame by taking a fastball to the backside. A one-out walk followed, leading into Bailey's long three-run home run down the left field line to push the Hot Rods in front 3-0. It was Bailey's fifth home run of the season, giving him 25 RBI.
After the home run, Robi Estrada singled before Hector Guevara earned a two-out walk. Phil Wunderlich then rapped his second hit of the game, scoring Estrada for his 46th RBI and a 4-0 lead.
An inning later a two-out rally began with a walk to Kevin Kiermaier, his second of the night. After a steal of second, Bailey stepped up and drilled a double off the base of the left field wall for his fourth RBI of night to bump the lead to 5-0.
In the fourth, Bowling Green plated two more runs starting with a lead-off double by Cody Rogers, who took third on a wild pitch. After Guevara grounded out and left the game with an apparent shoulder injury, Wunderlich walked to put runners at the corners. Julio Cedeno approached the plate and made it 6-0 with a single to left field. Two batters later Nick Schwaner greeted relief pitcher Logan Hoch with a sacrifice fly to left field to push the lead to 7-0.
Hot Rods starter Victor Mateo got one more run of support in the last of the sixth before leaving the game. Derek Dietrich walked in place of the injured Guevara. He took third on another hit from Wunderlich before Cedeno drove him home with a single to right field and an 8-0 lead.
Mateo (W; 7-4) hurled one of his best outings of the year with six shutout frames. The righty had allowed 21 hits in his last two outings, but gave up just four to the Whitecaps, who entered the game with the league's second highest batting average at .260. He walked two and allowed just multiple base runners in one inning. Only two runners made it to second base as he finished with four strikeouts and his team-leading seventh victory.
West Michigan got its only runs of the game in the top of the eighth inning against Nate Garcia with a run-scoring single and a two-out bases-loaded walk. Omar Bencomo pitched a scoreless ninth to wrap up the win.
Bailey led the offense going 2-4 with a home run and a four RBI, the third time he's reached that plateau this season. Wunderlich was on base four times with three hits and a walk while Cedeno has two hits and two RBI in five at-bats. Rogers also had a multi-hit night with a double and a single, scoring his league-leading 49th run.
The series continues with West Michigan on Wednesday with Feed Your Face Night. For just $12, fans get a ticket to the game and all the hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn they can eat for FREE through the seventh inning. Season Ticket holders and fans that already have tickets for the game do not need to pay extra to enjoy the eating extravaganza. First pitch is at 7:05 PM. Season Ticket holders can begin munching at 5:30 PM; the general public can start at 6 PM. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com.
Wednesday's pitching match-up features LHP Braulio Lara (2-6, 5.77) against West Michigan LHP Alex Burgos (1-0, 1.80). You can listen to the game with Tom Gauthier and Josh Weinstock beginning at 6:40 PM on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.
Midwest League Stories from June 14, 2011
- Kernels split doubleheader at Beloit - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- TinCaps swept by Dayton in twinbill - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Wisconsin Tops Chiefs in Wild One on Tuesday - Peoria Chiefs
- Wisconsin Rallies To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons Complete DH Sweep - Dayton Dragons
- Snappers Split Important Double Header - Beloit Sky Carp
- Bailey, Mateo Lead Hot Rods To 6th Straight Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Martinez, Bandits Shut out Clinton 5-0 - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kings Can't Touch Martinez, River Bandits - Clinton LumberKings
- Bees Clinch Playoff Spot with 4-3 Win - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Fall in Opener in Burlington - Kane County Cougars
- Hutchison, Brisker down Hawks, 6-1 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Loons Beat Captains 3-1 - Lake County Captains
- Josh Smith Lifts Dragons to Win in Opener - Dayton Dragons
- Silver Hawks Skid Reaches Four - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Home Run Derby Participants Announced - Quad Cities River Bandits
- RHP Daniel Webb Heads to DL - Lansing Lugnuts
- Liriano Added to MWL All-Star Roster - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: June 17-19 - Kane County Cougars
- MWL All-Stars Roster Revisions Announced - MWL1
- Former First Rounder Kyle Lotzkar Joins Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Cougars Lose All-Star to Promotion - Kane County Cougars
- Seth Fowler Rejoins Kernels; Caleb Graham to Inland Empire - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Custom Fifth Third Ballpark Playhouse to be Raffled off for Charity - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Dragons Gameday for Tuesday, June 14 - Dayton Dragons
- Liriano Player of the Week - Fort Wayne TinCaps
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