Beech Tree News Network

Hot Rods take no-hit bid into seventh on Friday

Bowling Green, Kentucky – With eight players from 2021’s championship team on hand, the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-0) began the 2022 season the same way they ended last year; with a definitive victory. The defending league champions claimed a 9-2 win over the Asheville Tourists (0-1) on Friday night at Bowling Green Ballpark behind Zack Trageton, who struck out seven over four strong frames. The Hot Rods and Tourists continue their three-game series on Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark with a 6:35 PM CT first pitch.

The Hot Rods took an early lead in the first inning after Trageton got a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the frame. Kyle Manzardo walked with one out and Matthew Dyer singled. Diego Infante reached on an error to load the bases before Heriberto Hernandez doubled to center, clearing the bases while taking third on a throw to home plate. Tanner Murray drove in Hernandez in the next at-bat on a fielder’s choice, giving the Hot Rods a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Bowling Green extended their lead against Asheville reliever Chayce McDermott. Ronny Simon singled on a bunt behind the mound and stole second base. Garrett Hiott walked with one out and Alika Williams was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Manzardo lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Simon to extend the Bowling Green lead to 5-0.

Two more runs scored in the sixth while BG tacked on two more in the eighth, while the Tourists offense produced runs in the seventh and eighth, as well. Bowling Green went on to claim a 9-2 victory on opening day, celebrating their 2021 High-A East Championship.

Trageton went 4.0 scoreless and hitless frames, striking out seven while issuing just one walk in a no decision. Addison Moss (1-0) tossed 2.0 perfect frames with two punch outs. Sean Mullen allowed five hits and two runs in relief with two walks and two strikeouts. Andrew Gross finished the game with 1.2 innings of work, holding Asheville to one hit with two strikeouts.

Notes: Friday’s game was the coldest season-opener in team history with a game time temperature of 39-degrees… The previous high, per BG Daily News beat writer Micheal Compton, was 56-degrees… Bowling Green’s pitching staff accumulated 13 strikeouts… The staff had a no-hit bid into the seventh inning until Will Wagner singled with one out for the Tourists… Dyer led the team with three hits… Dyer and Hernandez each had three RBIs… Manzardo was the only Hot Rods hitter to finish the game without a strikeout… Trageton’s seven strikeouts are two-short of his career-high… ­The Hot Rods continue their opening series against Asheville on Saturday night at 6:35 PM CT…  Bowling Green will send LHP John Doxakis (0-0, 0.00) to the mound against Asheville RHP Cesar Gomez (0-0, 0.00)... Fans can listen into the game on Talk 104.1 FM and 930 AM WKCT beginning with Hot Rods Gameday at 6:05 PM… Fans can also listen in via the MiLB First Pitch app on Android and IOS, www.bghotrods.com, or watch on MiLB.TV… Tickets are on sale at the Box Office, on the Hot Rods’ website and by calling 270-901-2121.