MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Hot Rods Flatten TinCaps 7-1

Published on August 10, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Fort Wayne, IN - Hometown kid Kevin Kiermaier homered, Enny Romero dazzled for five innings, and Phil Wunderlich hit another grand slam to lead the Hot Rods (24-21, 65, 50) to a 7-1 thrashing of the Fort Wayne TinCaps (23-22, 53-61) on Wednesday night. The victory is the Hot Rods second straight on this trip, improving their record to 3-2 with two games to go.

Kiermaier got his friends and family excited right away leading off the third inning. On a 1-0 pitch from starter Zach Cates, he smoked a fastball to deep right field, over the wall for his third home run of the season. The blast, his first since June 28, gave the Hot Rods an early 1-0 lead.

That run was enough for Romero (W; 3-5) and his five innings of work. He didn't allow a run, giving up just three hits and a pair of walks on the night. He retired the final five men he faced, punching out Cory Spangenberg for the final out of his night. He finished the night with nine strikeouts, at one point recording five straight K's between the second and third innings. He earned his first win since a June 1 triumph over Wisconsin.

Cates matched Romero every step of the way, excluding the home run by Kiermaier. He pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just two hits with eight strikeouts. Unfortunately for him, the seventh would be his undoing.

Deiber Sanchez came on in relief of Cates in that inning, and things went downhill quickly. Todd Glaesmann greeted Sanchez with a two-run triple to left-center, driving home his first two runs since coming off the disabled list. After a strikeout, Sanchez issued a pair of walks before Wunderlich launched his third grand slam of the year to push the Hot Rods lead to 7-0.

Victor Mateo protected that lead, working the final four innings for the first save of his professional career. He allowed just three hits and one unearned run, striking out three and walking one.

The Hot Rods finished the game with just four hits - a single, a triple, and two home runs. In their last two games - both wins - the Hot Rods have managed just seven combined hits while scoring a 11 runs. They have, however, been able to take advantage of the walks. They had six on Wednesday, one day after picking up four in Tuesday's seven-inning win at South Bend.

The series continues on Thursday night at 6:05 PM CDT. LHP Braulio Lara (3-9, 5.13) draws the start against Fort Wayne RHP Dennis O'Grady (2-0, 5.40). You can follow the broadcast with Tom Gauthier beginning at 5:40 PM CDT on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.

The Hot Rods return home on Saturday, August 13 to begin a six-game home stand against South Bend and the Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays). The home stand begins with postgame fireworks following the 7:05 PM game on August 13. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 10, 2011


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