Beech Tree News Network

Hot Rods secure third win in two days against the Crawdads

Bowling Green, Kentucky– The Bowling Green Hot Rods (72-33) swept both games of a doubleheader 3-2 and 8-3 against the Hickory Crawdads (45-57) on Thursday at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The two teams play the fourth game of the series on Friday with a 6:35 PM CT first pitch.

Hickory scored the first run of the game in the second frame, taking an early 1-0 lead. The Hot Rods answered in the bottom half against Crawdads starter Seth Nordlin. Grant Witherspoon reached base on a fielder’s choice and moved up on an error. An error on the very next play brought Witherspoon in to score, tying the game 1-1.

In the top of the third inning, the Hot Rods took their first lead against Nordlin. Connor Hollis started the offense with a one-out single. One batter later, Curtis Mead doubled down the right-field line, driving in Hollis and taking the lead, 2-1.

The Crawdads plated a run in the fourth inning, tying the game 2-2. It wouldn’t stay that way long as The Hot Rods brought their third run across in the bottom of the sixth against Nordlin. Witherspoon led off the with a walk and moved to second on a steal. One out later, Roberto Alvarez plated Witherspoon with a single, giving Bowling Green a 3-2 advantage. Alan Strong tossed a perfect top of the seventh, shutting the door on a 3-2 Hot Rods victory in game one of the doubleheader.

Evan McKendry pitched 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits in a nodecision. Jose Lopez (1-0) picked up his first win with Bowling Green, pitching 1.1 scoreless while walking one and striking out one. Strong (2) hurled 1.0 perfect inning with a strikeout in his second save of the season.

Hickory got the scoring started in the second game, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Once again, Bowling Green tied the game in the bottom half, this time against Crawdads starter Jesus Linarez. Hollis singled with one out and advanced to second on a stolen base. Jordan Qsar stepped up to home plate and drove Hollis in with a single, evening the score 1-1.

Bowling Green created more offense in the second inning with Linarez still on the mound. The Bootleggers scored four runs, highlighted by a Jacson McGowan two-run homer. The long ball was the 16th of the season for McGowan and gave the Bootleggers a 5-1 edge.

The Crawdads scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to bring the score to 5-3. After coming within two runs, the Bootleggers added insurance in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs against Hickory reliever Adam McKillican, increasing their lead to 8-3. Angel Felipe collected three strikeouts in the top of the seventh inning to finish off an 8-3 win.

Michael Mercado tossed 2.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four in a no-decision. Ezequiel Zabaleta (6-4) pitched 2.0 perfect innings with three strikeouts in his sixth win of the season. Trey Cumbie hurled 1.0 scoreless inning while strikeouts. Nathan Witt tossed 1.0 inning, giving up two runs (one earned) while striking out three. Felipe pitched 1.0 perfect inning with three strikeouts.

Notes: Williams had his second multi-hit game for Bowling Green this season… McGowan had his 13th multi-hit game of the year… He also had his 10th multi-RBI performance of the campaign… Alvarez had his second multiRBI game of the season… Alexander collected multiple hits for the 12th time in a Hot Rods uniform… Hollis had his 14th multi-hit performance of the campaign… Bowling Green is 49-4 when outhitting their opponent… They are 28-15 when opponents score first… The Hot Rods and Crawdads play the fourth game of a six-game series on Friday with a 6:35 PM CT first pitch… Bowling Green sends LH Ian Seymour (0-0, 1.80) to the bump against Hickory LH Avery Weems (3-4, 4.85) in game one… Fans can catch all of the action by watching on MiLB.tv or listening through the MiLB First Pitch app, tuning into WBGN 94.5 FM and 1340 AM, or visiting https://www.milb.com/bowling-green/fans/audio-listen-live.

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Hot Rods Baseball is presented by MedCenter Health