Hot Rods Game Notes
Published on August 14, 2022 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
The Hot Rods return home to start a 12-game homestand on Tuesday beginning with six games against the Greenville Drive.
Just Walk Away... For the second time in three days, Bowling Green fell to the Dash in walk off fashion, this time in a 3-2 decision for their third straight loss. No one on Bowling Green recorded more than one hit, with the only runs driven in on solo homers from Alexander Ovalles and Mason Auer. Bowling Green's three pitchers each allowed one run, with starter Logan Workman throwing 5.0 innings and surrendering one run on three hits, five strikeouts and BG's only walk allowed.
Yesterday's Notes... Ovalles homered for the first time since July 31... BG was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position... The last time Bowling Green was walked-off on twice in a series was in late May against the Brooklyn Cyclones... BG is 14-14 in one-run games... They're 7-10 in games started by an opponent's lefthander...
Hernandez's Heater... Heriberto Hernandez has been unbelievable at the plate. Over his last 14 games, he's hit 10 total homers and has gone deep in nine of the contests. In the month of August alone, Hernandez has homered in all but two of his games and his batting .406. The outfielder has driven in 18 runs, including three four-RBI efforts. Add his SAL Player of the Week award from last week to the mix and you have one of the hottest hitters in the minors.
Among the Leaders... Bowling Green's offense is amongst the most productive in the league this season. The club is scoring the third-most runs per game (5.76) while tying for third in the league with 129 homers. The club's batting average is fitfth-best in the SAL and the Hot Rods slugging percentage (.429) ranks second only behind Asheville. BG hitters have grounded into the least double plays this season but are the only team to have not been intentionally walked at least once in 2022. The team ERA on the pitching side is 3.84, the fourth-lowest this season, and have allowed the lowest walk total in the SAL. At 308, BG has allowed 61 fewer walks than the next lowest team (Brooklyn) heading into the weekend.
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 third-best fielding percentage (.977) while having committed just 84 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.
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.
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.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 14, 2022
- Richardson Goes Yard Twice in Sunday Setback - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Pipkin Sharp; Radcliff, Wingrove Homer in 4-0 Sunday Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Cyclones Come Back in the Ninth for 6-5 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Bowling Green Defeats Dash 4-2 in Series Finale - Winston-Salem Dash
- Oh Yeah, O'Neill: Matt O'Neill's 9th Inning Homer Propels Brooklyn to 6-5 Win on Sunday - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Ovalles Homers in 4-2 Win on Sunday - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Hot Rods Game Notes - Bowling Green Hot Rods
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