Send Hot Rods Sting Bees 3-2

Posted: 7:57 PM Jul 12, 2012
Reporter: Hank Fuerst, Hot Rods Media Relations

Burlington, IA Ryan Brett and the Bowling Green Hot Rods (12-8, 50-40) were able to battle through the Burlington Bees (11-9, 43-46) and a 17-minute power outage delay on Thursday night in Burlington, Iowa, in a 3-2 win. Before darkness fell on Community Field in the bottom of the eighth, Brett erased a 2-1 Bee lead with his clutch, two-out double off the wall in left field. Hot Rods pitchers allowed just four hits in the win as the team improves to ten games over .500 for the first time this season.

For the second time in as many nights, the Hot Rods scored first in the ballgame. The first of three Brett hits set up the initial scoring opportunity for the team when he singled up the middle in the game's first at bat. Brett was brought home later in the inning on a Drew Vettleson 4-6-3 double play, and the Hot Rods held a 1-0 advantage at the end of one half inning.

Hot Rods starter Jake Floethe took over from there, dominating the Bees in his six innings. The reliable righty did not factor in the decision because one of his two hits allowed was a solo home run to Burlington catcher Nick Rickles. Floethe tied a career high with six strikeouts in the impressive performance as he never faced a Bee hitter with a runner in scoring position.

After reliever Andrew Bellatti allowed a solo home run to Rashun Dixon in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 2-1 in favor of Burlington, the Hot Rods provided their own lead change in the top of the eighth. Keith Castillo, who finished the night with his first multi-hit game of the season, singled with one out, and Tyler Goeddel drew a big, two-out walk. Brett then came to the plate and hammered a line drive off the wall in left field. The clutch double cleared the bases and gave the Hot Rods their 3-2 lead that they never surrendered.

Bellatti was back out on the mound in the eighth and was pitching with a runner at second base when a brief power outage occurred at Burlington's Community Field. Power was immediately restored to everything except the lights. After a 17-minute delay, play resumed. Bellatti walked Sean Jamieson but struck out Bobby Crocker for the second out. Austin Hubbard then came in with runners at first and second and two outs. The former Auburn Tiger went on to retire the final four outs to preserve the win for the Hot Rods and notch his 13th save.

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