MWL1 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Tinoco Saves The Day With Game-Winning Hit

Published on May 31, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release


Bowling Green, KY - Steve Tinoco capped off a red-hot May with a walk-off tenth-inning single to lift the Hot Rods (29-24) past the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (27-25) by a score of 4-3 on Tuesday night. The victory pushes the Hot Rods lead to 1.5 games for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division heading into an afternoon game with Wisconsin on Wednesday.

The game started as a pitcher's duel with both teams throwing shutouts through the first three innings. In the fourth, the Hot Rods broke the tie with a pair of runs against starter Brooks Hall. With one out, Derek Dietrich tripled to deep center field followed by Phil Wunderlich reaching first after getting hit by a pitch. Julio Cedeno then drove home Dietrich with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Bowling Green. Two batters later, Steve Tinoco blooped one to center field to score Wunderlich for the second run.

The Timber Rattlers evened the score in the sixth with a pair of awkward runs against C.J. Riefenhauser. A walk and a single were followed by a sac bunt to put runners at second and third. Tony Pechek subsequently popped out to Robby Price in foul territory, but Price collided with Wunderlich to allow both runners to advance to cut the score to 2-1. The very next pitch from Riefenhauser went to the backstop to plate the second run for a 2-2 tie.

Riefenhauser turned the ball over to the bullpen at that point, pitching six innings and allowing just one earned run (two total). He allowed five hits and struck out three, but battled through a career-high five walks.

Wisconsin took the lead in the eighth against Chris Rearick. With one out, Rearick issued just his sixth walk of the season. After a bounce out, Tony Pechek drove a single to left field to score the go-ahead run for his second RBI of the night and a 3-2 lead.

The Hot Rods evened it up in the bottom of the eighth with consecutive singles from Dietrich and Wunderlich. After a pitching change, Cedeno bounced into 4-6-3 double play to plate Dietrich and tie the game at 3-3.

It stayed tied at 3-3 into the tenth when Tinoco had the clutch hit. Dietrich began the inning by getting drilled by a fastball. After a failed sacrifice, Kevin Kiermaier, who ran for Wunderlich in the eighth, stood at first base with one out. He took third when Cedeno smoked a single to center field. That put runners at the corners for Tinoco who lined an 0-2 pitch past a diving first baseman for the game-winning hit.

Tinoco led the way offensively driving in the second and fourth runs of the night. He finished two for five with two RBI, ending the month of May with sparkling .333 batting average to drive in ten of his seventeen RBI. Cedeno, Dietrich, and Hector Guevara also had two hits for the victors.

The teams now have a short turnaround with day baseball on Wednesday afternoon beginning at 12:05 PM. Wednesday's game is another Businesspersons Special presented by RJ Young. For just $11, fans can purchase a ticket to the game and an All-You-Can-Eat buffet. Gates open at 10:30 AM for Season Ticket holders; 11 AM for the general public. The buffet luncheon begins at 11:30 AM in the Home Run Grill. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com.

The pitching match-up features LHP Enny Romero (1-2, 6.46) against Wisconsin RHP Jimmy Nelson (1-4, 4.81). You can listen to the game with Tom Gauthier and Josh Weinstock beginning at 11:40 AM on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 31, 2011


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