Bowling Green, KY – Brett Nommensen had a pair of hits in his return to the line-up and Scott Shuman struck out six over two innings of relief work, but the Hot Rods fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels 6-0 on Monday night. The loss results in the Hot Rods fourth straight series loss, all against the Western Division. By dropping two of three to the Kernels, Bowling Green finished its home stand 2-4 heading into a day off on Tuesday.

Cedar Rapids took advantage of some sloppy Hot Rods defense to take their early lead. The first two guys reached on a pair of errors to begin the second inning. After a pair of fly ball outs resulted in a run, Cedar Rapids catcher Drew Beuerlein homered to make it a three-run inning against starter Kirby Yates.

They added two runs in the fifth, once again with the long ball. Beuerlein singled, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on a two-run shot from Jean Segura to make it 5-0.

Yates left the game after five innings, allowing just two earned runs (five total) on four hits. He walked two, struck out four, and surrendered two more home runs. He allowed five long balls in two starts on the home stand.

For the Hot Rods, it was another tough offensive night. Cedar Rapids starter Ariel Pena kept them off-balance with seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits with three walks and five strikeouts to earn his fifth win of the season.

Nommensen led the offense with two of those three hits. Julio Cedeno wrapped up a solid series with another single, picking up three hits in the final two games of the set.

Shuman’s terrific outing came over the eighth and ninth innings. He gave up a lead-off walk in the eighth before striking out the next three batters. In the ninth, it was déjà-vu as he allowed a lead-off single before striking out the side again. The righty finished with six K’s, one walk, and one hit over his two scoreless frames.

The Hot Rods now hit the road after an off-day on Tuesday. They’ll open a three-game series in Dayton, OH, with the Dragons, the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, on Wednesday night. LHP Kyle Lobstein (6-5, 4.53) takes the ball against Dayton RHP Ricky Bowen (2-4, 4.81). First pitch is at 6 PM CDT.