Lugs open 2nd half with 10-4 loss

LANSING, Mich. - The Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-0, 33-37) opened the season's second half with a 10-4 rout of the Lansing Lugnuts (0-1, 32-38) on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Including the end of the season's first half, the Lugnuts have lost four of their last five games. 

The Hot Rods poured on four runs in the fourth inning against Lansing starter Matt Dermody (Loss, 3-4), headlined by a bases-clearing three-run double from catcher Oscar Hernandez.

Lansing cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fourth inning on a two-run single by Chaz Frank, but the Hot Rods rolled for five more runs in the fifth to blow the game open. 

Bowling Green relief pitcher Jorge Rodriguez (Win, 2-3) pitched 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. 

Outfielder Derrick Loveless went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored for the Lugnuts. Shortstop Dawel Lugo had three hits. 

Lansing reliever Brady Dragmire pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one hit with a pair of strikeouts, and Phil Kish followed with a perfect ninth. 

The Lugnuts and Hot Rods play the second of the four-game series on a Flat Screen Friday night at Cooley Law School Stadium, presented by Auto-Owners Insurance, with LAFCU Fireworks following the game. Right-hander Frank Viola III (1-0, 0.00) will starts for the Lugs, countered by Bowling Green lefty Ben Griset (0-2, 3.00). 

Tickets are available for purchase via the stadium box office, telephone at 517-485-4500 and online at lansinglugnuts.com. To sign up for Lugnuts Alerts, text LUGNUTS to 80373.

# # #