MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Hot Rods take 2 of 3; Finish home stand 4-2

August 19, 2011 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green, KY - Derek Dietrich made more Hot Rods history on Friday night, launching his 21st home run on the first pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning. The home run was his fifth in the last five games, but the solo shot, combined with a homer by Kevin Kiermaier, weren't enough as the Hot Rods (28-25, 69-54) came up short in their attempt to sweep the Lansing Lugnuts, 6-2, at Bowling Green Ballpark. The Hot Rods still took the series from Lansing (29-24, 67-53), two games to one, and finished their six-game home stand with a winning 4-2 record.

Dietrich's blast came with the Hot Rods trailing 5-0 entering the inning. In his third at-bat, Dietrich launched the first pitch fastball over the right-center field wall to break up a shutout by Lansing starter Casey Lawrence (W; 11-8). It was the fifth straight game in which Dietrich homered, extending his overall hitting streak to five games. He wrapped up the home stand with 10 hits in six games, homering five times with two doubles and eight runs batted in.

Kiermaier followed Dietrich's lead with a laser into the right field bullpen an inning later, cutting the deficit to 5-2. The blast was Kiermaier's fourth of the season, wrapping up a strong home stand with nine hits in twenty at-bats (.450 batting average). The outfielder picked up five RBI, scored six runs, and made several outstanding defensive plays during the stand.

Lansing built its lead taking advantage of a wild pitch with the bases loaded from Wilking Rodriguez (L; 0-1) in the top of the third. Two innings later the bases were loaded again when Jimmy Patterson entered the game. The lefty retired the first out before giving up a two-out grand slam on a 3-2 pitch to Marcus Knecht to push the Lugnuts in front, 5-0.

Rodriguez took the loss, his first decision since his return to Bowling Green. He was charged with four of the five runs, giving up five hits with five strikeouts. Patterson went 2.2 innings, giving up just one run on three hits and a walk.

The Hot Rods now hit the road for a seven-game trek through Michigan beginning Saturday night against the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers) at 6:05 PM CDT. The pitching match-up features RHP George Jensen (12-4, 4.66) against Great Lakes LHP Greg Wilborn (3-2, 3.63). You can follow the broadcast with Tom Gauthier beginning at 5:40 PM CDT on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.

The Hot Rods return home on Saturday, August 27, to begin the final home stand of the regular season, leading into the Midwest League playoffs. Saturday features post-game fireworks after the opener of a four-game series with Great Lakes. For tickets and a complete list of upcoming promotions, visit www.bghotrods.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 19, 2011


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