Wiegand Stays Hot In Burlington
Published on July 16, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Burlington, IA - Tyler Bortnick and Ryan Wiegand reached base a combined nine times on Friday night, but the Hot Rods stranded too many runners, dropping a 6-3 series finale to the Bees. The loss gave the series to Burlington and evened the Hot Rods at 3-3 heading into the final set of their three city road trip.
Early on, it looked like the Hot Rods would have a repeat of Thursday night's game. Cody Rogers walked to lead off the game, but was then caught stealing at second base. It didn't slow down the Hot Rods momentum as Robi Estrada walked and then went to second on a Tyler Bortnick single. Ryan Wiegand put the Hot Rods on top with a single to right field to score Estrada for a 1-0 advantage.
That lead was short-lived as the Bees came back with three runs in the first against Alexander Colome, all scoring on a two-out double by Jose Bonilla. Two innings later, Bonilla struck again with a two-run, two-out single to make it a 5-1 Bees lead.
The Hot Rods answered right back with solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings. With two outs in the fourth, Ty Morrison belted his fourth home run to deep right field, cutting the lead to 5-2. With one out in the fifth, Bortnick singled and then scored on a double to the right-center gap by Wiegand to make it 5-3.
Colome left the game after five innings, still trailing 5-3. After he allowed the two-run single to Bonilla in the third, he was called for a balk, which seemed to settle him down. He retired seven of the final eight batters, at one point recording four straight strikeouts. He left after allowing five runs on nine hits, striking out six and walking one.
Burlington starter Dusty Odenbach also left after five, turning the lead over to his bullpen. After reliever Sam Runion put two men on in the sixth, he retired Robi Estrada for the inning's final out.
An inning later, Runion began the inning with another walk Bortnick, who was immediately picked off first base. Runion then walked Wiegand, but as he threw ball four, a light tower died in right field, forcing the game into a delay with Gabe Cohen coming to the plate representing the tying run. After 28 minutes play resumed and new pitcher Mitch Hodge induced Cohen into an inning-ending double play to second base.
The Bees added another run after the delay to make it 6-3 thanks to a pair of wild pick-off throws by catcher Tomas Francisco and relief pitcher Alex Koronis. The Hot Rods then went quietly in the eighth and ninth to end the game.
Bortnick and Wiegand each finished with two hits while Bortnick had three walks and Wiegand a pair. Wiegand finished with a pair of runs batted in, capping off a strong series. He went 6-11 with three doubles, driving in six runs.
The Hot Rods now head to Peoria, IL, for their final series of this road trip. LHP Kyle Lobstein (6-4, 4.18) takes the ball in game one against the Peoria Chiefs, Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. First pitch for game one is at 6:30 PM on Saturday night. You can follow the game on the radio with Tom Gauthier beginning at 6:15 PM CDT on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.
The Hot Rods return home to begin an action-packed home stand on Wednesday, July 21 against the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. For tickets and to check out the list of upcoming promotions, visit www.bghotrods.com.
Midwest League Stories from July 16, 2010
- Whitecaps can't climb out of early hole - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Loons Take Finale, 7-2 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Chiefs Complete Sweep Of Dayton With 10-8 Win Friday - Peoria Chiefs
- Kings Strike Early, Late in Bashing of Whitecaps - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Fall to Peoria 10-8 - Dayton Dragons
- Lugnuts top Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps work extras for 6-4 win - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Wiegand Stays Hot In Burlington - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Cougars Sweep Silver Hawks - Kane County Cougars
- Lugnuts squeeze Rattlers in rubber match, 6-4 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Quad Cities salvage final game of series with Lake County 5-1 on Friday night - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Christian Leads Cougars to Sweep of Silver Hawks - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Chris Hopkins Promoted - Lansing Lugnuts
- College World Series Hero Joins Bees - Burlington Bees
- O'Brien Field to Host MMA Event July 24 - Peoria Chiefs
- Dragons Meet The Chiefs Friday - Dayton Dragons
- Fort Wayne Scores Seven In Top Of The NInth - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Lugnuts Split Doubleheader With Rattlers - Lansing Lugnuts
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