Hot Rods Game Notes
August 5, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Bowling Green has a half-game lead in the eastern division and has lost six of their last 10 games.
About Saturday... The Hot Rods kicked off a three-game series with the Lansing Lugnuts on Saturday and things got off to a good start for Bowling Green. In the first inning, Seaver Whalen singled with one out, moved to second on a walk to Ruben Cardenas, then scored on a single by Grant Witherspoon, giving Bowling Green a quick 1-0 lead. However, Lansing starter Juan De Paula quickly settled down, and he and Easton McGee then traded zeroes. Through five innings, both teams had just two hits each. In the sixth, though, Lansing broke through against McGee. Two singles and an error loaded the bases, then Hunter Steinmetz reached on a fielders choice to tie the game. In the seventh, McGee returned to the mound, but surrendered a solo homer to Griffin Conine on the first pitch of the inning, giving Lansing the lead. Chris Muller would allow another run in the eighth, and the Hot Rod hitters had no answers for the Lugnuts, as Bowling Green recorded no hits in the final eight innings and did not have a runner reach base after the fourth inning. The final 16 Hot Rods went down in order as Bowling Green fell 3-1 to begin the series.
Raindrops A-Fallin'... Sunday's game was postponed due to rain, making a Monday doubleheader necessary. For the Hot Rods, this is their fourth "true" doubleheader of the season (i.e. a twin bill that does not include a suspended game) and their second at Bowling Green Ballpark. The Hot Rods split doubleheaders on April 9 at Lake County and May 1 at Cedar Rapids, before sweeping a pair against West Michigan on June 7.
Making Moves... The Hot Rods made a transaction of Monday's doubleheader, swapping a pair of bullpen arms. Left-hander Michael Costanzo return to Bowling Green from SS Hudson Valley, where he was reassigned on August 2. Meanwhile, Chris Muller was sent to Hudson Valley in a correspond- ing move. Costanzo has pitched in nine games (one start) for the Hot Rods, earning no decisions, but recording a 2.00 ERA over 18.0 innings pitched, while talking two and striking out 15.
Silent Night at the Plate... Bowling Green had one of their quietest nights offensively on Saturday night, as BG was held to just two hits, both of which came in the first inning. That tied the sea- son-low for the Hot Rods, matching a two-hit effort on May 30 against Great Lakes. The offense has been a prime culprit in a recent slide that has seen Bowling Green lose six of their last eight games. In those eight contests, the Hot Rods are batting just .231 and are scoring 4.1 runs per game. In the six losses, those numbers dip to a .213 average with just three runs per contest. Early on, the month of August also has not been kind to the BG hitters, with the Hot Rods batting just .149 in the first three contests of the month.
More Quality for McGee... Though it came in a losing effort, Saturday night featured another quality start for Easton McGee, continuing his strong second half. Following up his worst start in over a month, McGee settled down nicely on Saturday, allowing just two runs over 6.2 innings, coming one out short of tying his career-high for innings, while notching his sixth quality start of the season, all of which have come since the All-Star break. In the second half, McGee has gone 3-2 with a 3.30 ERA, averaging over 6.0 innings per start. McGee has emerged as one of the most durable starters in the Midwest League, logging 102.2 innings this season, which is tied for seventh in the circuit.
Saturday's Notes... Cardenas had his hit streak end at four games...It's his first hitless effort since joining the Hot Rods...Aranda batted leadoff for the second time this season...McGee recorded his seventh quality start, six of which have occurred in his last seven starts...Bowling Green did not record a hit after the first inning...The two hits for the Hot Rods tied a season-low (also May 30 vs. Great Lakes)...BG is 21-14 in series openers this season...The Hot Rods are 37-20 at home...They're 49-32 against right-handed starters...
Midwest League Stories from August 5, 2019
- Rey, Curlis Lift Dragons to 2nd Game Win and DH Split - Dayton Dragons
- Camargo Comes in Clutch - Great Lakes Loons
- Bees Bounced by Kernels, 3-2 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- TinCaps Roar Ahead Late En Route To Season-Long Winning Streak - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Bandits Shut out in Third Straight Loss to Cougars - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cougars Twirl 10th Shutout of Year - Kane County Cougars
- Loons Rally in 9th to Beat Cubs 3-2 - South Bend Cubs
- Whitecaps Tie Dubious Record in Loss - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chiefs Rained Out Monday In Wisconsin - Peoria Chiefs
- Rattlers and Chiefs Rained Out on Monday - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Announce 2020 Schedule - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cantillo Wins Third Midwest League Pitcher of the Week Award - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- TinCaps Game Notes: August 5 vs. West Michigan (Game 111) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Churlin Earns MWL Player of the Week Honors - Beloit Sky Carp
- Canadian Pacific Teams with River Bandits for Free Night at Modern Woodmen Park - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Jose Martinez placed on 7-day Injured List - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons Notes for Monday - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons to Accept Donations Tonight, Tomorrow for Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund - Dayton Dragons
- Treasure Hunters Jersey to Compete for "Golden Bobblehead" Award - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Late-Inning Rally Kings Beloit over Clinton 5-4 - Beloit Sky Carp
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