MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Hot Rods, Dragons Split Doubleheader

July 3, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green, KY - With a crowd of 5,472 fans in attendance for an early Fourth of July celebration at the ballpark, the Bowling Green Hot Rods (9-5, 47-35) registered a 2-1 win and a 7-5 loss against the Dayton Dragons (6-8, 34-49) at Bowling Green Ballpark. LHP Sean Bierman tossed a quality start to win the opener while Luke Maile drove in four of Bowling Green's five runs in the nightcap.

Dayton provided the first salvo before the Hot Rods took the game one lead. Joe Hudson led off the third inning with a double to left field and advanced to third base after a sacrifice bunt from Humberto Valor. Beau Amaral brought in Hudson with a ground out up the first base line for an early 1-0 lead. Bowling Green answered in the fourth inning with a two-out, two-run single from Brandon Martin that gave the Hot Rods a 2-1 advantage.

With the exception of Dayton's lone run, Bierman had no blemishes in his fifth win of the season. After Jesse Winker reached on a strikeout in the third inning, Bierman retired the final ten batters he faced to close his start. RHP Marcus Jensen held the Dragons scoreless in the seventh to pick up his first Hot Rods save.

Game two opened with an early series of blasts that well-preceded the postgame fireworks display. Luke Maile's three-run homer in the first inning put Bowling Green up 3-0. Dayton's Adam Matthews followed in the second with his first professional grand slam that gave the Dragons a quick lead. Patrick Leonard hit a solo home run in the home half of the second to tie the game at 4-4.

Dayton broke the tie with three runs in fourth inning. A bases-loaded double by Valor scored Daniel Pigott and Matthews before Brandon Dailey was cut down at home plate. Valor reached third on the throw and scored after an errant pickoff throw reached left field for a 7-4 lead.

Bowling Green nearly came back for the win in the seventh and final frame. Leonard led off the inning with the double with Brandon Martin reaching on a walk. Both runners advanced on a Leonardo Reginatto groundout and remained in scoring position after a strikeout. Maile singled to score Leonard and push Martin forward. The next batter, Tyler Goeddel, had a full count and hit a deep fly ball that landed short of the wall and in the glove of Matthews to secure Dayton's win.

Both teams will return to the diamond, but at a different site for the next two days. Bowling Green will visit Dayton for the next two games of this home-and-home four-game set. Fifth Third Field will host Fourth of July baseball at 6:05 PM CDT with RHP Dylan Floro (7-2, 2.03) facing LHP Ismael Guillon (3-6, 6.24). Hank Fuerst will call the action, starting with the Forever Communications Pregame Show at 5:35 PM CDT on the Hot Rods Radio Network (1340 "The Ticket" WBGN-AM and 1340wbgn.com)

Bowling Green will return home for a three-game series with Lansing that starts on Saturday, July 6 at 7:05 PM CDT. The series will begin with "Fantastic Fireworks" from Candlewood Suites and WBKO closing the opener. For more information and to secure your tickets, call the Hot Rods Ticket Office at (270) 901-2121 or visit BGHotRods.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 3, 2013


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