Gantt, Martin Clutch as Hot Rods Pull Away

August 18, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


What appeared to be a second consecutive pitchers' duel between the South Bend Silver Hawks and the Bowling Green Hot Rods was blown open by a four run eighth inning from Bowling Green as the Hot Rods cruised to a 7-1 victory. Left fielder Marty Gantt hit a towering three-run triple off the top of the left field wall that gave the Hot Rods breathing room in the eighth inning, spoiling a strong Midwest League debut from Hawks starter Aaron Blair (0-1).

After last night's offensive futility, the Hot Rods jumped into high gear right away on Sunday afternoon, taking the lead in the top of the first inning. Center fielder Andrew Toles led off the game with a single to right field. Toles stole second base while catcher Justin O'Conner was at the plate and then proceeded to take third base on a called third strike to put a man on third with one out. Third baseman Leonardo Reginatto gave the Hot Rods the lead with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Toles. Designated hitter Luke Maile kept the line moving for Bowling Green (71-53, 33-23) with a single to center field. Second baseman Tommy Coyle followed by drawing a walk. Left fielder Marty Gantt extended the Hot Rods lead to 2-0 with a ground ball single to center field that scored Maile from second. Hawks center fielder Socrates Brito made an alert throw to third base on the play to retire Tommy Coyle trying to advance on the play to end the inning.

Bowling Green starter Blake Snell (4-8) kept South Bend (77-48, 33-23) off the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning. Third baseman Brandon Drury led off the inning with a walk. Designated hitter Roidany Aguila laced a double down the left field line that put runners at second and third with nobody out. Left fielder Alex Glenn then walked on four straight pitches to load the bases. Snell got the first out on a short fly ball to right that could not advance any runners. He then walked catcher Michael Perez, forcing in the first run of the game for the Hawks. First baseman Cesar Carrasco could not capitalize on the opportunity as he struck out swinging for the second out of the inning. Snell escaped with no further damage by striking out shortstop Andrew Velazquez to end the inning with a 2-1 lead.

Neither starting pitcher would surrendering any more runs. Snell went five innings allowing just one run and three hits, while walking five and striking out eight Hawks. Blair, the 2013 Supplemental 1st Round draft pick of the Diamondbacks (36th overall) out of Marshall University, made a strong debut for the Hawks. He threw six innings, allowing just two runs and five hits, while striking out three. Blair was recently promoted from Short Season Class-A Hillsboro after pitching to a 2.90 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 31 innings for the Hops.

Bowling Green, the Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, turned the ball over to reliever Andrew Hanse to start the bottom of the sixth inning. He proceeded to throw 2 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the Hot Rods in the lead. South Bend, the Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, called lefty Enrique Garcia out of the pen in relief of Blair to start the seventh. After throwing a scoreless seventh inning, Garcia got into a jam in the top of the eighth, allowing two consecutive one-out singles to Toles and O'Conner, putting runners at first and second.

The Hawks turned to the pen again, summoning righty Thomas Brendel into the game. Brendel gave up a single to Reginatto that loaded the bases. Maile hit into a force out on a ground ball to short. Reginatto was retired at second but the ball was hit too softly to turn the double play and Toles scored on the play to make it 3-1. Brendel then walked Coyle to reload the bases with two outs. Gantt turned on a 3-1 offering from Brendel and hit it high and deep to left field for what was originally ruled a grand slam. After a consultation between the two umpires, the ball was ruled to have stayed in play and Gantt was returned to third base for a three run triple that extended the Hot Rods lead to 6-1. Brendel struck out right fielder Joey Rickard to end the inning but the Hot Rods had already blown the game open.

Marcus Jensen came in to the game in relief of Hanse with a runner on first and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to face Perez. He surrendered a single to Perez but retired first baseman Rudy Flores on a grounder to first to end the inning. The Hot Rods tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth when shortstop Brandon Martin launched an 0-1 offering from Brendel over the left field seats and one hopping off of the roof of the Tiki Hut for a 7-1 lead. Jensen shut the Hawks down the rest of the way, surrendering a meaningless double and a walk in the ninth inning en route to closing out the game at 7-1.

The Hawks and Hot Rods meet up again Monday night at 7:05pm for game three of the four game series between the top two teams in the Midwest League Eastern Division. Lefty Kevin Brandt (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the start for Bowling Green while righty Blake Perry (7-5, 4.22 ERA) takes the hill for the Silver Hawks. It's Belly Buster Monday at Coveleski Regional Stadium so upgrade your ticket for a wristband that includes unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, and peanuts during the game.



Midwest League Stories from August 18, 2013


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