MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Hot Rods Open Season with 2-1 Walkoff Loss at South Bend

Published on April 9, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


South Bend, Ind. - South Bend first baseman Cael Brockmeyer hammered the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth inning over the left-centerfield wall, as the Cubs (1-0) posted a 2-1 walkoff victory over the Bowling Green Hot Rods in the 2015 Midwest League season opener Thursday Night at Four Winds Field in front of a franchise-record 7,086 fans.

Despite strong pitching from starter Brent Honeywell and reliever Hunter Wood, who combined for 13 strikeouts and stranded nine Cubs on base, the Hot Rods (0-1) offense could not break through in being limited to just five total hits and leaving eight men on base.

The Cubs struck first in the bottom of the second inning, when Jeffrey Baez cranked the first offering from Honeywell over the left field wall for a solo home run with one out in the frame for the 1-0 lead.

In the ensuing top of the third, Bowling Green centerfielder Thomas Milone drilled a solo homer of his own to left field on the first pitch from starter Jake Stinnett for the first hit and run of the year for the Hot Rods, evening the score at 1-1.

Both starters settled down after allowing their circuit clouts, as Honeywell - the Rays' number eight prospect - gave up four hits over four innings while walking a pair and fanning six. Stinnett - the Cubs 12th rated prospect - worked five innings of three-hit ball. Issuing two walks while striking out four.

Wood followed Honeywell's opening act, as the 2014 New York-Penn League All-Star penned four hitless innings of relief, working around three walks while notching seven strikeouts.

Bowling Green had three men on base in the last two innings against Cubs reliever James Farris (1-0) including Hunter Lockwood reaching third after a one-double in the ninth, but Farris fanned Cristian Toribio to end the inning.

Newly-inserted Hot Rods reliever Mike Franco's first pitch of the bottom half to Brockmeyer was launched over the grassy hill in left-centerfield to cinch the season-opening walkoff win. Brockmeyer finished 3-for-4 with two doubles in addition to his walkoff bomb.

Catcher Nick Ciuffo contributed a pair of singles as part of Bowling Green's five total hits.

The Hot Rods and Cubs will continue their season-opening series tomorrow evening when Bowling Green right-hander Greg Harris (0-0) will square off against South Bend right-hander Jeremy Null (0-0) in a 6:35 CT start.

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Midwest League Stories from April 9, 2015


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