Hawks Late Rally Falls Short in 3-2 Loss

May 6, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


For the second time in a week, the South Bend Silver Hawks (17-15) failed to solve Jake Faria as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (14-17) won their fifth straight contest with a 3-2 victory at Four Winds Field. Faria held the Hawks to just one hit in five shutout innings after tossing a seven-inning complete-game one-hitter last week against South Bend.

Bowling Green, the Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, took the lead in the bottom of the third inning against Hawks starter Blake Perry (1-2). Perry retired the first seven batters he faced in the game but surrendered a solo homer on a 1-2 pitch to Hot Rods right fielder Yoel Araujo to give Bowling Green a 1-0 lead.

The lead remained at just one run until the top of the sixth inning. Shortstop Juniel Querecuto led off the inning with an infield single to deep short. Second baseman Kean Wong followed with a clean single through the right side that put runners at first and second with no outs. Center fielder Johnny Field laid down a sacrifice bunt that advanced both runners. Perry issued an intentional walk to catcher Armando Araiza to load the bases and bring up third baseman Ty Young. Young grounded a single to left that scored Querecuto and left the bases still loaded for designated hitter Pat Blair. Blair lined a single to left that scored Wong but Araiza was cut down at the plate by left fielder Chuck Taylor's perfect throw to catcher Michael Perez. Perry escaped without any further damage but the score stood at 3-0 Hot Rods after the top of the sixth inning.

South Bend, the Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, got on the board in the eighth inning off of Hot Rods reliever Jorge Rodriguez (S, 1). Shortstop Andrew Velazquez led off with a single to right. He stole second base before second baseman Jamie Westbrook advanced him to third with an infield single to second. Munoz singled to left to drive in Velazquez and cut the lead to 3-1. Rodriguez then recovered to strike out the next three batters to keep it a two-run Bowling Green lead.

The Hawks mounted a rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. Perez led off with a line drive double to deep left-center field. Rodriguez struck out Taylor for the first out of the inning. Center fielder Breland Almadova beat out an infield single up the middle to second base that put runners at the corners with one out. Rodriguez attempted to pick Almadova off first but his throw was missed by first baseman Alexander Simon. Perez scored and Almadova advanced to second on the error by Simon. Velazquez hit the ball hard but it was caught in deep center for the second out of the inning. Almadova tagged up on the play and went to third. Rodriguez then got Westbrook to ground out to second to end the game.

The Hawks and Hot Rods will finish their three-game series with a Wednesday morning game starting at 10:35am. Lefty Chris Kirsch (1-4, 6.12 ERA) takes the mound for Bowling Green while righty Jose Martinez (1-0, 3.60 ERA) gets the call for the Hawks. It's a School Day at Four Winds Field with thousands of Michiana children planning on attending the game tomorrow morning.



Midwest League Stories from May 6, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central