MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Lara, Estrada Lead Hot Rods To 4-2 Win

Published on July 6, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green, KY - Braulio Lara tied a franchise record with 12 strikeouts and Robi Estrada delivered a tie-breaking solo home run in the eighth, lifting the Hot Rods (6-7, 47-36) past the Lake County Captains (6-7, 34-48) 4-2 on Wednesday night. Lara's record-tying performance matched a 12-K masterpiece by Matt Moore on June 6, 2009 in Asheville, North Carolina, and pushed the Hot Rods to their second consecutive win.

Lara's big night began with a trio of strikeouts, working around a lone single in the first inning. Another pair of K's followed in each of the second, third, and fourth innings as Lara allowed on more hit during that time.

In the top of the fifth the Captains finally cracked into Lara. A one-out single drove home the first run before a two-out single added another to make it 2-0. After the Hot Rods went scoreless in the fifth, Lara finished off his night with a perfect sixth and another pair of strikeouts.

He left the game trailing, 2-0, before the Hot Rods rallied in the bottom of the sixth. Robi Estrada led off with a double against Lake County starter J.D. Reichenbach, just the second hit of the game to that point for Bowling Green. After a strikeout of Cody Rogers, Dietrich launched a long home run to right that landed on 7th Avenue to tie the game at 2-2. It was Dietrich's 10th blast of the season and his third over the span of six at-bats dating back to the previous night.

Both starters were out after six innings, each taking a no-decision. Lara allowed two runs on five hits, one walk, and his dozen strikeouts. Reichenbach was just as good, limiting the Hot Rods to a pair of runs on three hits, two walks, and three K's.

The bullpens took over from there, with the Hot Rods earning the victory. After two scoreless innings from Jimmy Patterson (W; 4-2), Estrada began the bottom of the eighth with this third home run to break a 2-2 tie. Rogers followed with a single, a stolen base, and a balk to move to third base. He then scored a few pitches later as Phil Wunderlich picked up RBI No. 59 with a single to right field to push the lead to 4-2.

Chris Rearick sealed the deal with a 1-2-3 ninth inning, racking up two more strikeouts to earn his 13th save. Added to Lara's 12 K's and four more from Patterson, the Hot Rods finished with 18 strikeouts as a team, tying the franchise mark set against Lake County on August 27, 2010.

The series continues on a Thrifty Thursday presented by All Hit WUHU 107 and Beaver 96.7 FM. Fans can enjoy $2 food and drink specials all night long. First pitch is at 7:05 PM. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com.

Hot Rods LHP C.J. Riefenhauser (5-5, 2.61) takes the ball against Lake County RHP Mike Good night (5-7, 3.50). You can follow the game with Tom Gauthier and Josh Weinstock at 6:40 PM on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.

Hot Rods Playoff Strips are on sale now. Bowling Green will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) of the first round playoff series on September 8 and 9 at Bowling Green Ballpark. 2011 Playoff Ticket Strips include a box seat to all six potential home playoff games and a limited edition Hot Rods Playoff T-Shirt for just $60. For more information, visit www.bghotrods.com.

Check out the Bowling Green Hot Rods Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from July 6, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central