Hot Rods Shutout Cubs, Clinch Series Win

Bowling Green, KY - In rubbermatch of a three-game series with the South Bend Cubs during the second leg of a nine-game homestand overall, the Bowling Green Hot Rods clinched a series victory with a two-hit shutout and a 6-0 win on Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Aside from scoring the final 13 runs of the series since the second inning on Saturday, the Hot Rods pitchers have tossed 17 straight scoreless innings. They also recorded their fourth shutout of the season, fueled by a stellar performance from starter Michael Velasquez (W, 1-6).

Velasquez, who entered the game winless on the year, retired the first 19 batters he faced in order before giving up a one-out single to Cubs catcher P.J Higgins in the seventh inning. With a perfect game bid snapped after 6.1 frames, Velasquez finished off his outing with a career-high 7.0 innings pitched and eight strikeouts while allowing just that one baserunner.

After Velasquez exited the game prior to the eighth inning, righties Yoel Espinal and Diego Castillo combined to blank the Cubs through the last two innings while giving up just one hit between them.

To secure the win, the Hot Rods tacked on three runs in the second inning with one swing of the bat against lefty Carson Sands (L, 5-1). With the bases-loaded, outfielder Angel Moreno smacked a two-run single that, accompanied with a throwing error, cleared the bases and put the Hot Rods up 3-0.

Bowling Green got the rest of their scoring in the fourth inning with a two-run homer by first basemen Michael Russell and in the eighth inning on a RBI double by Moreno.

With the win, the Hot Rods secured their first series victory at home since sweeping the Lansing Lugnuts in the middle of May (9-11). In each of their last nine wins, the Hot Rods have now scored five or more runs in all of them.

Bowling Green will try to continue their winning ways with the opener of a three-game series against the Lake County Captains on Monday. Hot Rods will send RHP Roel Ramirez to the mound while the Captains will counter with LHP Sam Hentges.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.

You can also listen in to Play-by-Play Broadcaster Alex Cohen for all the games on www.bghotrods.com via the MLB TuneIn Radio Application or on 1340 The Ticket in Southcentral Kentucky.

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