Clutch Hits Reduce Hot Rods Magic Number To Two
Published on June 16, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Bowling Green, KY - In front of 5,024 fans, a record for a Thursday night, the Hot Rods overcame an early two-run deficit to beat the West Michigan Whitecaps (30-36) to complete a three-game sweep at Bowling Green Ballpark. The victory is the eighth straight for the Hot Rods (39-28), making it the longest string of consecutive wins in team history. The victory also reduced the team's magic number to two in order to clinch the first half Eastern Division title thanks to a loss by Lansing in South Bend.
Bowling Green was down early in this game as George Jensen (W; 6-2) allowed an earned run in the first inning, leaving the bases loaded to avoid further damage. In the fourth he surrendered an unearned run on an error by Kevin Kiermaier, the first of the season for the Hot Rods center fielder.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Hot Rods rallied to take the lead for good. With one out, Phil Wunderlich and Derek Dietrich singled before Robby Price battled to draw a two-out single to load the bases. That brought up Nick Schwaner, who laced the first pitch he saw into the gap in right-center field for a bases-clearing three-run triple to put the Hot Rods on top 3-2.
Jensen came back out for the fifth, stranding one more runner before leaving the game. He allowed nine hits, but gave up just one earned run to win his sixth straight decision.
After turning the ball over to the bullpen, the Hot Rods garnered two insurance runs. Robby Price doubled into the right field corner to push the lead to 4-2. Two outs later, Price came to score himself on a single down the left field line by Kevin Kiermaier.
Jimmy Patterson and Austin Hubbard combined to pitch the final four innings, allowing just two hits over four scoreless frames. They combined for four strikeouts and zero walks.
Schwaner and Price led the offense as Schwaner belted his third triple to give the team the lead. Price picked up a three-hit game, adding his 25th RBI of the season. Cody Rogers, Wunderlich, Dietrich, and Cedeno all added multi-hit nights as well.
The three-game sweep wraps up the home portion of the first half schedule. Bowling Green finished with a sterling 24-11 record in their first 35 home games. They can now clinch a playoff spot with a win and a loss by either Lansing or Great Lakes on Friday night.
The Hot Rods now hit the road for their final series of the first half in South Bend, Indiana, against the Silver Hawks (Arizona Diamondbacks). LHP C.J. Riefenhauser (4-5, 2.47) gets the ball in game one against South Bend RHP Tyler Green (2-1, 4.43). First pitch is at 6:30 PM CDT. You can follow the game with Tom Gauthier beginning at 6:05 PM CDT on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.
The Hot Rods next homestand begins the second half of the season with a three-game set starting June 24 against the Dayton Dragons, Class A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The series begins with Ladies Night and Red Hot Rods T-shirt giveaway courtesy of Daymar College. For a complete list of promotions for the second half, visit www.bghotrods.com.
Midwest League Stories from June 16, 2011
- Five-Run Eighth Wins Series for Snappers - Beloit Sky Carp
- Rattlers Win Fifth Straight And Pick Up Ground In Playoff Chase - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Clutch Hits Reduce Hot Rods Magic Number To Two - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Paxton Fans 13 Bandits as Kings Avert Sweep - Clinton LumberKings
- Errors Open Door for Clinton Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons rout TinCaps, 14-4 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Bees Win 44th Game of the Year with a 6-2 Victory Over Kane County - Burlington Bees
- Vidal Drives in 7, Leads Dragons to 14-4 Win - Dayton Dragons
- Cougars Score First Again but Fall - Kane County Cougars
- Silver Hawks slug Lugs, 12-0 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Captains Lose 4-2, Swept by Loons - Lake County Captains
- Big Innings Lead to Big Shutout Win - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Dragons on TV Friday and Saturday - Dayton Dragons
- INF Garis Pena Joins Lansing - Lansing Lugnuts
- Kernels Return Home Tomorrow - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Rally falls short in Kernels 6-5 loss to Beloit - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Bandits Break Tie In Ninth - Quad Cities River Bandits
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