Hot Rods Game Notes
May 21, 2021 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
On Thursday... The Hot Rods dropped the third game of the series to the Brave 2-1. Osmy Gregorio doubled home Roberto Alvarez for his first RBI of the season and the lone run BG drove in Thursday night. This marks the third time the Hot Rods have lost a one-run game, making them 2-3 on the season.
About Rome... Rome secured a one-run win behind 17 strikeouts from their pitching staff. Seven of those K's came from starter Alan Rangel, followed by six from Trey Riley and four from Indigo Diaz. Thursday night was the first time the Braves have won a game while scoring less than three runs this season. This win also pulls them within one game of the lead in the High-A East South Division and could tie the Hot Rods by winning tonight.
First to Double-Digits... The Hot Rods are the first in the High-A East to reach double digit wins this season. They boast the highest run differential in the league, outscoring their opponents by 33 runs this year. Along with leading the High-A East in the category, they are second among all High-A teams across the country with their 33-run differential, sitting only behind the Everett AquaSox who have put 51 runs between them and their opponents.
Keeping Opponents Quiet... Hot Rods pitchers have given their offense time to score, holding their opponents to three runs or less in four of the last five games. Over that span, Bowling Green pitching has tossed two shutouts. The Hot Rods are 8-1 over that span, with the lone loss coming on Thursday night 2-1.
Starting the Scoring... Scoring has come early and often for the Hot Rods this season. Bowling Green has scored first in seven consecutive games, with a 5-2 record over that time. BG has also scored the most runs within the High-A East with 92, just two runs in front of Greenville. Greenville used a 15-run performance on Thursday night to get to 90 runs and move themselves to a one run differential.
Wednesday's Notes... Gregorio got his first RBI of the season... Grant Witherspoon made his first start at first base as a pro... Ruben Cardenas has a 13 game on-base streak... Jacson McGowan tied his career high for strikeouts in a game with four... This is the fourth time he has whiffed four times...The Hot Rods have scored first for seven consecutive games... Are 5-2 over that span... BG is now 8-3 when scoring first this season... Bowling Green struck out 17 times against Braves pitching, tying the season high... They have had 17 strikeouts three times this season... BG's bullpen allowed their first walk in five games on Thursday...
Now pitching: Michael Mercado... After a bumpy first start, Michael Mercado settled down at home last week. In his first start at Greenville, he pitched 2.0 innings, surrendering five earned runs and three home runs. At home against Asheville on May 15, he tossed 4.0 innings, giving up just two hits and one earned run while striking out six. The righty has made two appearances this year after missing 2019 and 2020. During his 2018 season with the Hudson Valley Renegades, Mercado made 11 starts, posting a 5.22 ERA and a 1-2 record. He was also named New York-Penn League Pitcher of the Week on July 15, 2018.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 21, 2021
- Martin Spins Perfect Five Innings, Leads Dash to 5-0 Victory - Winston-Salem Dash
- Moclair Closes the Door in Tourists Comeback Win - Asheville Tourists
- Hot Rods Lose Second Straight with 6-1 Setback on Friday - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Six-Run Fourth Propels Asheville to 7-6 Win Over Greenville - Greenville Drive
- 'Dads Blank Hoppers in 3-0 Victory - Hickory Crawdads
- Walker Is Wonderful in Cyclones 4-1 Win - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Rome Pitching Shuts Down Bowling Green in 6-1 Victory - Rome Emperors
- Renegades Fall to Cyclones in Brooklyn - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (May 21) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Despite Ninth Inning Rally, Dash Fall Short 4-2 - Winston-Salem Dash
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