Hot Rods Put Together Ninth Inning Rally In Fort Wayne
Published on August 7, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Fort Wayne, IN - Trailing 3-0, the Hot Rods broke out of their game-long slump by scoring five runs in the ninth inning on Saturday night in Fort Wayne. The celebration was short-lived, however, as the TinCaps rallied for three more in their half of the ninth to steal a 6-5 series-opening victory. Despite the loss, the Hot Rods remain just one game out of the playoff chase after another loss by the Lansing Lugnuts.
Bowling Green's game-changing rally took place after Fort Wayne built its lead on two home runs: a solo shot in the first by Jason Hagerty and a pinch-hit two-run blast from Dean Anna in the bottom of the eighth. Fort Wayne turned the ball over to its closer, Miles Mikolas, for the ninth, looking to wrap up an easy shutout win, but it was not to be.
Tyler Bortnick led off the ninth for the Hot Rods with a laser beam home run into the left field seats to put Bowling Green on the board at 3-1. Bortnick seventh home run was followed by a singles from Ryan Wiegand and Brett Nommensen and a walk to Bennett Davis to load the bases for Julio Cedeno. The Hot Rods third baseman came through just like he did in the Hot Rods recent seven-game home stand, lofting a sacrifice fly to right field to make it a one-run game at 3-2.
After Cedeno, manager Brady Williams called upon pinch-hitter Mark Thomas in the place of Tomas Francisco. With runners at the corners, Thomas would not disappoint, lining a single to left-center to plate Nommensen and tie the game at 3-3.
In a brand new game, the Hot Rods kept the offense coming. With Dustin Biell batting, Davis and Thomas executed a double steal to move into scoring position. Biell then dribbled one down the third base line to TinCaps third baseman Edinson Rincon. Rincon was playing on the grass but his throw home hit Davis and ricocheted into the dugout to allow Davis and Thomas to score to put Bowling Green on top at 5-3.
From there, the Hot Rods turned the ball over to closer Scott Shuman, who was trying to snap out of a two-game mini-slump. The righty struggled with his command, however, giving up three runs to give Fort Wayne their second walk-off win over the Hot Rods in 2010.
Each team's closer overshadowed a well-pitched game into the ninth inning. Kyle Lobstein (4.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 K), Alex Koronis (1.2, 0 R, 4 K), and Deivis Mavarez (1.1 IP, 2 K) combined for a dozen strikeouts for the Hot Rods, allowing just six hits on the night. TinCaps pitchers were just as strong as starter Matt Lollis and two relievers combined for eight shutout frames heading into the ninth.
Bortnick's home run extended his hitting streak to 10 games for Bowling Green while Morrison (single) and Cedeno (triple) pushed their streaks to 10 games and eight games, respectively.
The series continues with game two on Sunday afternoon at Parkview Field. RHP Albert Suarez (0-3, 7.36) takes the ball against Fort Wayne RHP Matt Jackson (2-1, 4.28). First pitch is at 2:05 PM CDT. You can listen to the game with Tom Gauthier beginning at 1:50 PM CDT on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.
The Hot Rods return home to begin an action-packed six-game home stand on Wednesday night against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers) and the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers). Wednesday night is Gift-Card-O-Mania presented by Best Buy®. Other great events include a Thrifty Thursday presented by All Hit WUHU 107 and Beaver 96.7 FM and Friday Fireworks presented by Crossroads IGA. For a full list of promotions and tickets to the fun, visit www.bghotrods.com.
Midwest League Stories from August 7, 2010
- Kings Blast Way To Sixth-Straight Win - Clinton LumberKings
- Wild finish gives TinCaps the win - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Hot Rods Put Together Ninth Inning Rally In Fort Wayne - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- LumberKings Club Wisconsin - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cougars Pound Bees to Start Road Trip - Kane County Cougars
- Lugnuts lose fifth straight, 6-1 to Loons - Lansing Lugnuts
- Hawks Shut Out Captains in Opener - South Bend Silver Hawks
- D-backs Acquire Skaggs From Angels - South Bend Silver Hawks
- LumberKings Roster Move - Clinton LumberKings
- Kernels Make Roster Moves - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Snappers Rally to Make it Five Straight Wins - Beloit Sky Carp
- Kernels get series split with Cougars, 6-0 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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