MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Spraker Busts Out for Three Hits Against West Michigan

April 14, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green, KY - Hot Rods infielder Kyle Spraker had three hits, scored a run, and stole his first base of the season on Wednesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark. Unfortunately, the rest of the Hot Rods offense couldn't muster much help, resulting in a 6-2 loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps (3-4).

Bowling Green missed some early opportunities against Whitecaps starter Jade Todd (ND). In the first inning, they loaded the bases with two down before Mayo Acosta grounded out to former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor, a member of the Detroit Tigers organization.

They followed it with another rally attempt in the second inning, sparked by a lead-off single from Spraker. He advanced to third on consecutive grounds before Todd walked Chris Murrill to put runners at the corners. Tyler Bortnick followed, but his bunt attempt was fielded by Todd, who caught Spraker in a rundown to retire the side without any real damage. All told in the first two innings, the Hot Rods left five men on base and were 0-4 with runners in scoring position.

West Michigan wasn't able to muster much offense through the first two innings as Jason McEachern (L; 0-2) retired the first six men he faced. It looked like it would be three perfect innings before McEachern faltered with two down in the third. That's when the Whitecaps strung together four straight two-out hits, including run-scoring doubles from Jamie Johnson and Mike Gosse, giving West Michigan a 2-0 lead. Those doubles snapped a stretch of 16.2 scoreless innings by Hot Rods pitchers, dating back to the start of the third inning on Sunday night against Dayton.

The Hot Rods evened the game up in their half of the fourth, getting a lead-off double from Acosta and another single from Spraker. Ty Morrison drove in the first run with a sacrifice bunt down the first base line. He was followed by a hard single to right field by Diogenes Luis, knotting the game at 2-2.

From that point on, the Whitecaps took over, knocking McEachern from the game in the fifth inning. Elvin Soto and Hernan Perez led off the inning with back-to-back home runs before a walk, a wild pitch, and a single from Gosse bumped the lead to 5-2. Deivis Mavarez came on to put out the fire, but McEachern was tagged with the loss, allowing a career-high five earned runs on eight hits.

Mavarez pitched four strong innings in relief, allowing his only run on consecutive doubles to begin the eighth. In two outings, he's surrendered just two runs and four hits, striking out seven in a total of eight innings.

As for Gaynor, the Tigers' third round draft pick in 2009 out of WKU went 1-5 with a single in his return to Bowling Green. He is hitting an even .250 to begin the season as West Michigan's third baseman.

The series now continues with the first Thirsty Thursday of the season, presented by All Hit WUHU 107 and Beaver 96.7. RHP Shane Dyer (0-0 1.80) makes his first home start against RHP Jacob Turner (0-0, 0.00), the Tigers first round draft pick in 2009. First pitch is at 6:35 PM. You can follow the action with Tom Gauthier and Hank Fuerst beginning at 6:20 PM on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.

Gates open at 5 PM for Season Ticket holders and 5:30 PM for the general public. For tickets, call 270.901.2121 or visit www.bghotrods.com.

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Midwest League Stories from April 14, 2010


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