Bowling Green, KY – Josh Sale’s fourth-inning, three-run home run proved to be the difference on Saturday night at Bowling Green Ballpark in a 4-3, rain-shortened win for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (19-17) over the South Bend Silver Hawks (20-16). Starter Jake Floethe also contributed to the winning effort, hurling five scoreless innings to grab his fifth win of the season.

After both teams were held scoreless through the game’s first three frames, the Hot Rods struck for three runs in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of Josh Sale. Matt Rice singled with one out, which was followed by a Cameron Seitzer double to put runners at second and third base. Sale then smashed a three-run home run off of the scoreboard in right-centerfield to give the Hot Rods a 3-0 lead. It was Sale’s second career Hot Rod longball and his second in three nights.

The next inning, the Hot Rods struck for one more run to take a 4-0 lead. With one out, Drew Vettleson started the rally with a single to right field. Then, with runners at first and second, Jeff Malm lined a double into the right field corner. Vettleson scored from second, but Todd Glaesmann was thrown out at the plate, keeping the lead at four runs in favor of the Hot Rods.

The Malm double turned out to be the decisive play in the game because the Silver Hawks scored three runs in the top of the sixth. A fifty-minute rain delay followed the Hot Rods bottom of the sixth, and the game was eventually called. The rain-shortened victory is the Hot Rods second win in as many nights, representing their first winning streak since winning three in-a-row from April 18-20.
The Hot Rods continue their four-game series with the South Bend Silver Hawks (Future Diamondbacks) on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 PM. Getting the pearl for the Hot Rods is LHP Felipe Rivero (2-2, 1.50). South Bend will counter with RHP Archie Bradley (4-1, 2.57).