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MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Game Notes

May 16, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


out Yesterday... On Wednesday against South Bend, the story of the early innings of the game was the season debut of left-hander Matthew Liberatore. He lived up to the hype, throwing 5.0 shutout innings as the game was low-scoring initially. Bowling Green took the early lead on a solo homer by Ford Proctor in the first inning, the extended the advantage to 3-0 on a two-run double by Tony Pena in the fifth. The dam broke for South Bend in the sixth as the Hot Rods scored five times, with Kaleo Johnson lining a two-run single and Jake Palomaki hitting a two-run triple for the key hits. After another run scored in the seventh, the rout turned historic as the Hot Rods lined eight hits in an eight-run eighth inning, which was capped off when Chris Betts crushed a grand slam, providing the finishing touches on a 17-0 win, the largest blowout in Bowling Green Hot Rods history.

Into the History Books... Wednesdays victory was notable for several reasons. Of course, the win set the Hot Rods franchise record for largest margin of victory. Additionally, all nine Hot Rods in the order recorded at least one hit for the first time since August 19, 2018. Not only that, but all nine starters recorded multi-hit games, the first time in BG history that has occured. It is the second time (also April 15, 2012 at Lake County) that nine Bowling Green batters have recorded a multi-hit game, though one multi-hit effort in that game came from a substitute. Lastly, the 21 hits on Wednesday is the fourth-most in franchise history and the 17 runs in tied for the third-most.

Betts is Bashing... Chris Betts had a memorable eighth inning on Wednesday, beginning the inning with a single, then ending it with the first grand slam of his career, becoming the first BG hitter to have two hits in an inning since Emilio Gustave in the 4th inning on June 1, 2018 against West Michigan. As a result, Betts tied his career-high in RBI. He also finished the homestand with a flourish, going 8-for-20 with four extra-base hits and five runs scored in the last five contests. By scoring twice, Betts now moved into a tie for third in the Midwest League with 24 runs scored.

Don't Forget Liberatore... While Wednesday's game will be best known for the offensive fireworks, Matthew Liberatore had a successful Hot Rods debut, throwing 5.0 shutout innings. The 16th-overall pick in the 2018 Draft, Liberatore finished off an impressive string of starting pitching performances during the most recent homestand. All nine games saw the Bowling Green starter finish at least five innings and allow three or fewer runs. Liberatore's start was one of seven in the last nine games where the Hot Rod starter allowed zero or one run.

Yesterday's Notes... All nine Hot Rods had multiple hits...Eight players had at least one run and one RBI for BG...Betts' grand slam was the first slam for a Hot Rod since Ronaldo Hernandez on June 1, 2018... He became the first Hot Rod to have two hits in an innings since Emilio Gustave did it on June 1, 2018 against the West Michigan White Caps in the fourth inning... He's the first BG batter to have four or more RBI in a game since Kaleo Johnson had four against the Fort Wayne TinCaps on April 24... It's the second time this season Betts has driven in four runs in a game... Johnson has an eight-game hitting streak... He also tied a career-high with three hits... Franco has hit safely in four-straight games and has three-consecutive multi-hit contests...Pena has a four-game hitting streak... His three hits set a new personal season-high.. Liberatore tied a career-high with 5.0 Innings pitched, the fourth time he has reached that mark...He's also won three-straight decisions dating back to last season...The eight-run eighth inning is the most scored in one inning by the Hot Rods this year and the most since a ten-run fourth inning on June 1, 2018 vs. Lansing... BG's 21 hits is a new season-high and their most since setting a franchise record of 25, set on July 11, 2017...The Hot Rods recorded 20 or more hits for the first time since May 28, 2018 vs. Dayton...The 17 runs is the most scored by Bowling Green since a 17-6 win over Lake County on June 11, 2017...It surpasses a 15-0 win over West Michigan on July 26, 2014 for the largest margin of victory in franchise history...Bowling Green reached double-digit runs for the fourth time season...The Hot Rods are 3-5 in shutouts this season...BG is 19-9 against right-handed starters...The Hot Rods are 19-4 when they out-hit their opponent...The Hot Rods are 7-2 in day games this season, including wins in all three Education Day games...Bowling Green is 88-80 all-time against South Bend, 45-41 at Bowling Green Ballpark...

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