Diaz Hammers Two Home Runs, Hot Rods Rally to 5-4 Victory
May 23, 2025 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Bowling Green, Kentucky - Jhon Diaz mashed two home runs helping the Bowling Green Hot Rods (23-20) down the Greenville Drive (19-24), on Friday, 5-4 at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Bowling Green kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the second facing Drive starter Payton Tolle. Diaz smacked a solo home run to right, giving the Hot Rods the lead, 1-0.
The Drive knotted things up in the top of the fourth against Bowling Green starter Garrett Edwards. Brooks Brannon rocked a solo home run to right, tying the game, 1-1.
Greenville took the lead in the top of the fifth against Edwards. Albert Feliz and moved to second on a Nelly Taylor ground out. Antonio Anderson singled, putting runners at the corners. Brannon slashed a double, clearing the bases giving the Drive the lead, 3-1.
The Hot Rods answered in the bottom of the sixth facing Drive reliever Darvin Garcia. Mac Horvath reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and advanced to third on an errant throw from Brannon. Horvath crossed home on a wild pitch by Garcia, cutting into the lead, 3-2.
Bowling Green charged ahead in the bottom of the seventh facing Drive reliever, Cooper Adams. Carlos Colmenarez doubled and crossed home on a single by Aidan Smith leading to a throwing error by Anderson. Later in the inning Noah Myers slashed an RBI single scoring Smith, giving the Hot Rods the lead, 4-3.
The Drive tied things back up in the top of the eighth inning with Hot Rods reliever Gerlin Rosario on the bump. Miguel Bleis reached on a fielding error, Brannon singled, and Justin Reimer walked to load the bases. Andy Lugo floated a sacrifice fly to center against Chris Villaman to bring home a run, evening the score at 4-4.
The Hot Rods surged back ahead in the bottom of the eighth still facing Adams. Diaz crushed a solo shot to right field, putting Bowling Green out in front, 5-4. Villaman shut down the Drive order in the top of the ninth, finalizing the contest, 5-4.
Villaman (6-0) earned the victory after spinning a scoreless 1.2 innings of work, surrendering one hit and fanning two. Adams (1-3) received the loss after tossing 2.2 innings, allowing four hits, surrendering three runs (two earned) and fanning five.
Bowling Green and Greenville face off tomorrow for the penultimate game of a six-game series at 6:35 PM CT at Bowling Green Ballpark. RHP Gary Gill Hill (1-3, 4.02) gets the start for the Hot Rods while LHP Brandon Clarke (0-1, 3.60) takes the mound for the Drive.
Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 23, 2025
- Brannon's Big Night Not Enough as Drive Fall Late to Hot Rods, 5-4 - Greenville Drive
- Diaz Hammers Two Home Runs, Hot Rods Rally to 5-4 Victory - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- DeMartini Homers Again, But Claws Swept in Double-Header on Friday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Tourists Drop Third Straight at Home - Asheville Tourists
- Davalillo and Dreiling Lead Hub City to Friday Victory - Hub City Spartanburgers
- Renegades Streamroll Winston-Salem - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Hudson Valley Downs Winston-Salem, 10-1 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Renegades Game Notes - Hudson Valley Renegades
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