Hot Rods Sweep Captains, Clinch Playoff Berth
August 25, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Eastlake, OH - Finishing a five-game stretch in four days at Classic Park, the Bowling Green Hot Rods notched their sixth straight victory and clinch a spot in the Midwest League playoffs with a 14-2 win against the Lake County Captains on Thursday night.
With their magic number to clinch a playoff berth at one coming into the game, the Hot Rods clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 by tying a season-high with 14 runs and 18 hits.
Bowling Green starting off the rout in the second inning with four runs, led by a two-run homer from catcher David Rodriguez. The Hot Rods went on to score two or more runs in four of the next five innings, highlighted by a two-run homer from second basemen Brandon Lowe in the fourth inning and a two-run triple by David Olmedo-Barrera in the sixth inning.
Offensively, the Hot Rods were paced with three hits apiece from Padlo and shortstop Michael Russell. Seven of the nine Hot Rods starters has multi-hit games and every Hot Rods player in the lineup had at least one hit.
On the pitching side, Jose Mujica (W, 8-3) continued his dominance in the second half, tossing his ninth straight quality start by giving up a run in six innings while tying a career-high and season-high eight strikeouts.
In nine starts since July 1, Mujica is now 5-0 with a 1.55 ERA.
To finish the game, righty Armando Bastardo gave up a run in two innings and Tim Ingram tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
With the win, the Hot Rods notched their sixth straight victory. They swept a five-game series on the road for the first time in franchise history.
Bowling Green (40-20) is now at game ahead of the South Bend Cubs for first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division for the second half. They are now heading to the postseason for the first time since 2013 with the victory and a season-high 25 games over .500 (77-52).
Bowling Green is 37-15 over their last 52 games since July 1.
Bowling Green will head home and try to secure home-field advantage in the first round with a four-game series against the Dayton Dragons on Friday night. The Hot Rods will send LHP Michael Velasquez to the mound.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
You can also listen in to Play-by-Play Broadcaster Alex Cohen for all the games on www.bghotrods.com via the MLB TuneIn Radio Application or on 1340 The Ticket in Southcentral Kentucky.
Midwest League Stories from August 25, 2016
- Hot Rods Sweep Captains, Clinch Playoff Berth - Bowling Green Hot Rods
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- Dragons Fall 7-2, Home Winning Streak Ends at 9 - Dayton Dragons
- Perdomo, Lugnuts Avoid Sweep in Dayton, 7-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Dorminy Doesn't Get Help in Loss - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Former Cougar, Zastryzny, Becomes 150th Player in Team History To Make MLB Debut - Kane County Cougars
- Dragons GameDay for August 25 - Dayton Dragons
- TinCaps Game Notes: August 25 at Great Lakes (Game 130) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
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