Beech Tree News Network

BG wins fourth-straight; Outfielder extends hit streak to 11 games 

Aberdeen, Maryland– Grant Witherspoon’s three-run homer in the second inning boosted the Bowling Green Hot Rods (53-21) to a 5-3 win over the Aberdeen Ironbirds (38-36) on Thursday night at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland. The two teams continue their series on Friday night with a 6:05 PM CT first pitch.  

Jordan Westburg put Aberdeen in front in the first with a leadoff homer, but the Hot Rods took the lead in the second against Ironbirds starter Conner Loeprich. Hill Alexander singled to left with one out and scored when Jacson McGowan doubled to the left field corner, tying the game. Michael Gigliotti walked and Grant Witherspoon blasted his 13th homer of the season off the batter’s eye in dead center, putting the Hot Rods up 4-1.  

Loeprich gave up another run to the Bowling Green in the fourth before leaving the game. McGowan worked a leadoff walk and scored when Luis Trevino ripped a double to left, giving the Hot Rods a 5-1 edge.  

The Ironbirds scored twice in the seventh inning against Bowling Green reliever Michael Costanzo, but Costanzo rebounded and held the Ironbirds scoreless in the final two frames to give the Hot Rods a 5-3 victory.  

Evan McKendry tossed 3.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing one run on a hit with three strikeouts. Carlos Garcia (6-1) threw 3.0 scoreless innings in his sixth win of the season, holding Aberdeen to one hit with two walks and three strikeouts. Costanzo (2) earned a save after tossing the final three innings while allowing two runs on two hits with a walk, hit batsman, and five strikeouts.  

Notes: Witherspoon has an 11-game hit streak… He also had his 14th multi-hit game… Witherspoon had three RBIs for the fifth time this season and his 12th multi-RBI game… Mead has a six-game hit streak… Hollis and Alexander have four-game hit streaks…  Hollis had his 9th multi-hit game of 2021… Alexander had his 8th game of the season with more than one hit… Costanzo’s five strikeouts is a season-high… The Hot Rods are 8-1 against Aberdeen this season… They’re 14-0 in two-run games in 2021… The team currently has a four-game win streak…  BG is 20-7 in July… They’re 20-9 when their opponent scores first this season… The Hot Rods are 36-3 when outhitting their opposition…The Hot Rods and Ironbirds will play the fourth game of the series on Friday with a 6:05 PM CT first pitch… The Hot Rods will send RH Alan Strong (5-0, 3.13) to the mound against Ironbirds RH Garrett Stallings (7-3, 4.09)… 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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