MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Bowling Green Wins Series Opener in Lansing

Published on April 25, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Lansing, Mich. - The Bowling Green Hot Rods (Class-A/Tampa Bay Rays) used two separate three-run innings to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays) on Friday night. The Hot Rods set a new season-high for runs in the 9-3 win, as five different Bowling Green players enjoyed multi-hit nights.

Bowling Green took the early lead in the top of the third inning. Alexander Simon doubled to left field to lead off the frame and would be moved over immediately on a sacrifice bunt by Juniel Querecuto. Following a walk, Johnny Field grounded out to second base to drive home Simon from third base.

Lansing would answer with two runs for their only lead of the game in the bottom of the third. Jorge Saez reached on a wild pitch, then moved to second on a single by Justin Atkinson. A groundout by D.J. Davis moved them both into scoring position, and both were driven home when Dickie Joe Thon knocked a single to left field.

The Hot Rods grabbed the lead back in the fourth inning. Ty Young reached on an error, and proceeded to steal second base. After moving up to third on a passed ball, Pat Blair singled him home to tie the game. Blair was then erased when James Harris grounded into a fielder's choice, but Simon hit a single to center to put runners at first and third. Querecuto gave the lead back to Bowling Green with a single that drove home Harris.

Three more runs came across in the fifth for the Hot Rods. Kean Wong led off with a single, and was scored from first base when Field doubled to the deepest part of the ballpark to left-center field. Bowling Green would add a run on a single by Young, and with the help of an error. Bowling Green led 6-2 after five innings.

Saez led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run, but it would be the final piece of scoring for the Lugnuts. An exclamation point was added by Bowling Green with another three-run inning, this time in the eighth. Young began the rally with a bunt single, and moved to third when Blair doubled down the left-field line. Harris then smacked a double off the tall wall in right field, scoring Young and advancing Blair to third. Simon knocked his third hit of the day to drive home Blair, and Harris would score when Querecuto grounded out. The inning gave the game the final margin of 9-3.

Chris Kirsch (1-3) started the game for the Hot Rods, and worked five innings to get the win. Stone Speer tossed three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and struck out seven batters, a new high for Bowling Green relievers this season.

Lansing starter Tom Robson (0-3) was chased from the game without recording an out in the fifth, and he allowed six runs, three of them earned, to pick-up the loss.

The Hot Rods have secured a winning road trip with Friday night's win, and will look to further improve on their 4-1 trip when they play game two of a three game set in Lansing, Mich. on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. CT, and the Pepsi Pre-Game Show will get underway at 12:50 p.m. CT on the radio home for the Hot Rods, 1340 WBGN - The Ticket. Right-hander Hunter Wood (0-0, 5.11) will go for his first win as a Hot Rod on the hill.

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Midwest League Stories from April 25, 2014


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