SAL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Big Crowd Welcomes Hot Rods Home

Published on May 29, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


(Bowling Green, KY) - Kyeong Kang and Mike Sheridan put smiles on the faces of 3,542 fans on Friday night at Bowling Green Ballpark as the duo each picked up an RBI in the bottom of the sixth to give the Hot Rods a 4-3 lead on Friday night. That lead would not last, however, as the Braves (26-21) came back to grab two runs in the top of the ninth, stealing game one of this four-game series 5-4 at Bowling Green Ballpark. The loss, coupled with a pair of wins by Charleston, leaves the Hot Rods in sixth place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division, 4.5 games behind the first-place RiverDogs.

The winning rally for the Braves began with an infield single by outfielder Calvin Culver in the top of the ninth against Hot Rods closer Jamie Bagley (0-3). Culver was sacrificed to second by Samuel Sime before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Chris Shehan then drew a walk before No. 9 hitter Ryan Barba produced his only hit of the game, a seeing-eye single to center field to tie the game at 4-4.

The Braves weren't done, though, as Shayne Moody single to load the bases for Luis Sumoza. Batting .350 against the Hot Rods entering the at-bat, Sumoza would draw a walk to force in the winning run with his 17th RBI of the season. Bagley got out of the inning with a double-play but still blew his third save of the season on three soft singles and two walks.

Braves closer Jaye Chapman worked a perfect ninth, striking out the side to earn his sixth save in as many chances in 2009. He closed it out for relief pitcher Angelo Paulino (2-0), who worked a scoreless eighth.

Neither starting pitcher figured into the decision as Hot Rods lefty Frank De Los Santos pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits. De Los Santos gave up three runs in the first inning, including a two-run homer to DH Jesus Sucre, but he managed to shut the Braves out for the rest of his outing, surrendering just two hits over the next four frames. He would be relieved by right-hander Marquis Fleming who worked a season-high three innings without allowing a single base runner.

Rome's Jacob Thompson also got a no-decision, despite allowing the Hot Rods to take a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning. After Jake Jefferies singled (2-4), Kyeong Kang tripled to deep left-center field, picking up his 7th RBI to tie the game at 3-3. Mike Sheridan followed immediately with a sacrifice fly, earning RBI No. 18, to give the Hot Rods their first lead of the game.

The series continues on Saturday night with game two of the series. RHP Joe Cruz (1-1, 3.12) gets the ball for the Hot Rods against righty Jacob Thompson (2-4, 5.19). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM CDT. You can follow the action with Tom Gauthier on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com beginning at 6:50 PM CDT.

The first 1,000 fans 13 & older will receive an Inaugural Season T-Shirt thanks to Big Country Powersports. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or head to the Hot Rods ticket office at the corner of 8th Avenue and Center Street at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Check out the Bowling Green Hot Rods Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2009


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