Bowling Green, KY - The Bowling Green Hot Rods (20-18) split a doubleheader with the South Bend Silver Hawks (21-17) on Monday night, losing game one 2-0 and winning game two 3-2. Ryan Brett roped a clutch RBI-single in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Hot Rods the lead and the eventual game two wins. Felipe Rivero was the touch-luck losing pitcher in game one, allowing just two runs in five innings.
In game one, the Hot Rods were held to just one hit by South Bend pitching, falling 2-0. Top prospect Archie Bradley hurled five, shutout innings. Drew Vettleson was the only Hot Rod to reach base safely off of Bradley when he doubled in the fourth. Game one featured solid pitching by both sides with the seven-inning affair taking just ninety-six minutes to complete.
The Silver Hawks took a 2-0 lead over the Hot Rods early in game two, but the Hot Rods were able to battle back in the contest, scoring the final three runs in the contest. Jeff Malm began the comeback with his leadoff, solo home run in the bottom of the second. Ryan Brett then manufactured a run by his lonesome in the bottom of the third. After he walked, Brett stole second base, stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch.
Brett would play a very big hand in the next run that scored, too. In the bottom of the fifth, Juniel Querecuto began the frame with a leadoff double down the line in right field. Later in the inning with one out, Brett laced a hard single into right field to score Querecuto and give Bowling Green a 3-2 lead they never surrendered.
The Hot Rods bullpen was strong in both games, combining to allow no runs in six innings. In game two, Jake Partridge's two shutout frames earned him his fourth win of the season. Charlie Cononie recorded six outs for his third save of the year. The win that Cononie locked down in game two is Bowling Green's third win in four tries and puts the Hot Rods in a position to win the series on Tuesday night in the series finale.
In the fourth and final game of the series on Tuesday night, the Hot Rods will give the pearl to LHP Ryan Carpenter (4-2, 4.54), while the silver Hawks will counter with LHP John Pedrotty (1-2, 5.80). Listen to the game on the flagship station for the Hot Rods Radio Network, 1340-AM "The Ticket", or online at 1340wbgn.com. Join Hank Fuerst for the Forever Communications Pre-Game Show at 6:15 PM.
