MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Blair Sprints Home in 11th to Tighten Playoff Race

Published on August 19, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green, Ky. - Pat Blair scampered home on a ball that barely got away from catcher Sicnarf Loopstok in the bottom of the eleventh, and it gave the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Class-A/Tampa Bay Rays) the walk-off victory over the Lake County Captains (Cleveland Indians). The win was crucial for the Hot Rods' playoff chances, as they now gain ground on every playoff-eligible team in the division.

The bottom of the eleventh began harmlessly enough for Lake County with a strikeout, but Blair then smashed a one-out single to center field. Kean Wong then worked a five-pitch walk to put runners at first and second. Alexander Simon followed by slapping a ball that was deflected by the pitcher Caleb Hamrick, but he was not able to find it in time to throw out Simon, so the bases were loaded as Blair moved to third. One out later, the Hot Rods faced the prospect of not scoring, but as a ball deflected away from Loopstok, Blair sprinted home for the win.

The game did not start out so well for Bowling Green, as the Captains scored a run to take an early lead in the first. Ivan Castillo led off with a single, and he would come around to score when Loopstok was hit by a pitch with the bases full.

Bowling Green tied the game in the third, as Wong laid down a perfect bunt single with two outs. He moved to third on Simon's hit, and scored when Oscar Hernandez doubled into the left-field corner. It was Hernandez's 61st run batted in of the season, most for any Hot Rod, and the game was knotted at one.

Dorssys Paulino and the Captains untied the game in the fifth. With Nellie Rodriguez standing at second base, Paulino plated him with a single to center field.

Lake County's 2-1 edge continued until the Hot Rods erased it and stole the advantage in the seventh. Spencer Edwards led off with a walk, and then moved to second when Douglas Duran reached on a bunt. Blair would lay down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third before Wong delivered a big two-run single to put Bowling Green in front.

Extra baseball was forced in the top of the ninth, as Paul Hendrix reached on an infield single to the left side with one out. After Rodriguez drew another walk, Paulino struck again with a hit to score Hendrix and tie the game at three. While it did force extras, the walk-off passed ball inched the Hot Rods closer in the division.

With the triumph, the Hot Rods are now just one game back of Dayton for the second playoff spot, and they now lie just two and a half games behind Lake County for the second half's top spot with two games remaining in the series.

Andrew Hanse pitched superbly in relief, tossing three and one-third scoreless frames. Willie Gabay (2-1) settled down after relinquishing the lead, as he tossed three and one-third innings to earn the victory.

Caleb Hamrick (3-9) received the loss despite the run being unearned because of the passed ball in the eleventh.

The pivotal series with Lake County continues Tuesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT, and fans will want to arrive early for the final T-Shirt Tuesday presented by All About You Urgent Clinic. Gates open up at 6 p.m. CT. For tickets and more information, fans can logon to BGHotRods.com, call 270-901-2121, or visit the Bowling Green Ballpark box office.

Check out the Bowling Green Hot Rods Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from August 19, 2014


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.

OurSports Central