MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Leonard Drives in Winning Score at South Bend

August 20, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


South Bend, IN - Patrick Leonard's go-ahead single in the top of the ninth gave the Bowling Green Hot Rods (73-53, 35-23) a 3-2 victory over the South Bend Silver Hawks (77-50, 33-25) on Tuesday. Leonard was hitless in his previous nine plate appearances before bringing in the winning run. Reinaldo Lopez tied a career high with seven solid innings pitched in a no-decision while Andrew Toles added to his team record for triples in the win.

Toles opened the contest with his franchise-best 15th triple of the season. From third base, Toles scored on a wild pitch from Braden Shipley for a 1-0 Hot Rods edge in the first inning. Bowling Green scored another run in the second to extend its lead. Tyler Goeddel led off the frame with a double and trotted in from third during a Brandon Martin triple.

The Silver Hawks did not do much against Lopez over seven innings played. South Bend scored in the second after Alex Glenn hit a two-out double and was driven in by a single from Breland Almadova. In the fifth inning, Rudy Flores hit a line drive to right-center field with the bases loaded that was caught on a running grab by Joey Rickard. Lopez shut down the Silver Hawks after that play, including a three-strikeout effort in the sixth.

South Bend broke through for the game-tying run in the eighth inning. Brandon Drury greeted Hot Rods reliever Stone Speer with a single. Following a Flores strikeout, Roidany Aguila hit a single to move Drury to second base. Glenn collected a single of his own that scored Drury to tie the game and allowed Aguila and Glenn to end the play in scoring position. Speer loaded the bases with an intentional walk but coaxed a foul pop out and a fair fly out to leave the game at a 2-2 tie.

In the ninth inning, each team had a good scoring opportunity. Tommy Coyle led off the frame with a single against Silver Hawks pitcher Jimmie Sherfy. Coyle stole second base and stayed at second through two outs until Leonard came through with an RBI single that put Bowling Green ahead 3-2. In the bottom of the ninth, South Bend had the tying and winning runs on base with only one out. Flores grounded to Coyle, who started a double play to Martin and Leonard to wrap up the triumph.

Bowling Green will open a six-game homestand on Wednesday at 7:05 PM CDT by hosting the West Michigan Whitecaps. Hot Rods RHP Jeff Ames (8-4, 3.13) will square off against Whitecaps RHP Endrys Briceno (7-8, 4.57). The Forever Communications Pregame Show with Hank Fuerst and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz takes place at 6:35 PM CDT on the Hot Rods Radio Network (1340 "The Ticket" WBGN-AM and 1340wbgn.com).

The homestand opener is an IGA All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday with a ballpark buffet available for an $8 upgrade to a purchased ticket. The upcoming homestand also includes Thrifty Thursday on August 22 courtesy of All-Hit WUHU 107 and Beaver 96.7, Postgame Fireworks on August 24 sponsored by WBKO, and Feed Your Face Day on August 25. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit BGHotRods.com or call (270) 901-2121.

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Midwest League Stories from August 20, 2013


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