SAL Bowling Green Hot Rods

Hot Rods Game Notes

Published on August 10, 2022 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Don't Call it a Comeback... Bowling Green trailed 6-1 heading into the eighth inning, but then rallied for a seven-run eighth inning to claim a 9-6 victory. It was the second-most runs Bowling Green has scored in an inning this year and the largest comeback for the Hot Rods this season. Mason Auer clubbed his first home run in August in a 2-4, 2 RBI night. Tyler Frank also had a memorable Hot Rods debut, driving in three runs on a 2-3 night, including a go-ahead two-RBI single in the eighth inning. Evan Reifert got his fourth win of the season in 2.1 innings, and Kyle Whitten shut out the Dash in the final 2.0 innings to earn his third save of the year.

Yesterday's Notes... Frank had his first hit with Bowling Green in his second at-bat of the night... He had his first multi-hit game as a Hot Rods hitter... Auer had his ninth multi-hit game of the season with BG... He also had his fourth multi-RBI game... Dyer had his fourth multi-RBI game of the year... Leon had his fifth multi-hit game of the season with BG... Hackenberg's homer in the sixth put an end to a 347-day stretch where Reifert hadn't allowed a home run... Tuesday's seven-run eighth inning was the second-largest scoring effort in any inning this season... The four errors committed by the BG defense are the most in any game this season... BG is 18-23 when the opposition scores first... They're 13-6 in the first game of a series 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 begin 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.

Check out the Bowling Green Hot Rods Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 10, 2022


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