SAL Bowling Green Hot Rods

Hot Rods Game Notes 81122

Published on August 11, 2022 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Just Hold On... Bowling Green maintained control of the game after each team scored two in the first inning, adding one run in the fifth and three more in the seventh to hold on for a 6-4 win over the Winston-Salem Dash. Anthony Molina took the victory for his league-best 12th win of the season, allowing two unearned runs on three hits in 5.2 innings pitched, the third-longest outing by a Hot Rods starter this season. Franklin Dacosta earned his first save of the year in a 1-2-3 ninth with a strikeout. On the batting side, Heriberto Hernandez led the way with his fifth four-RBI game of the season, including his team-best 19th homer of the year that started the scoring in the first. Alika Williams drove in two on a 1-3 night and Gionti Turner went 2-4 in his third multi-hit game of the season.

Yesterday's Notes... Molina is tied for the second-most wins in a single season in team history... He's tied with Victor Mateo (2011) and Adrian Navas (2017)... The franchise record is 13, held by George Jensen (2011)... He also set a new career-high in innings pitched... His previous high was 5.0... Hernandez had his 17th multi-RBI game of the year... He also had his 20th multi-hit game of the year... Turner collected multiple hits in a game for the third time this year... Dyer hit in the leadoff spot for the first time this season...

Changes... The Tampa Bay Rays announced more changes to the Hot Rods roster in recent days. RH Audry Lugo has been released by the Rays while first baseman Kyle Manzardo earned a promotion to AA Montgomery after leading the league in multiple offensive categories. BG added INF Tyler Frank and LHP Graeme Stinson from AA Montgomery, while C Nate Soria rejoined the team after one game with AAA Durham last week.

Among the Leaders... Bowling Green's offense is amongst the most productive in the league with 100 games in the books. The team has scored 5.75 runs per game this season, the third-most in the SAL behind Asheville and Hickory. Their 124 homers is the fourth-most on the circuit and thrid-most in the South Division, while boasting the fourth-best team batting average (.257). The pitching staff allowed 4.28 runs per game, which is fourth-best while allowing a league-low 297 walks. The next closest team in walk-allowed is Brooklyn, who's let up 348 in 2022. Despite being fourth-from last in total strikeouts, the staff still leads the SAL in K/BB this season by a wide margin.

Unsung Hero... The aspect of BG's game that often goes most overlooked is the team's defense. The Hot Rods have the SAL's best fielding percentage (.979) while having committed just 76 errors this year. The backstops have controlled the run game at an elite level as well, throwing out 30% of would-be base stealers which is second-best in the league.

Playoff Ready... With the Hot Rods clinching their spot in the 2022 SAL Playoffs, tickets for the post-season games at Bowling Green Ballpark have gone on sale. The Divisional Round will begin on Tuesday, September 13 at the second-half South Division Champion's ballpark before game two of the series will be at Bowling Green Ballpark on Thursday, September 15. If game three is necessary, the Hot Rods will host that game on Friday, September 16. In the event the Hot Rods advance to the League Championship, they'll host game one on Sunday, September 18 before finishing the series on the road on Tuesday, September 20 and Wednesday, September 21at the North Division's winner.

Clinched!... BG finished the first half leading their division for the third time in club history, clinching a playoff spot with 2018's Midwest League Champions and again in 2011. (there were no halves in 2021). The 2011 team finished the first leg of the season with a 41-29 record while the 2018 Hot Rods set a franchise record with 47 wins in the first half and a record of 47-22. The 2022 club became the third Hot Rods team to the 40-win mark in a half.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 11, 2022


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