Hot Rods Homer Five Times in 16-7 Blowout Win

Aberdeen, Maryland – Adian Smith, Blake Robertson, Mac Horvath, and Ryan Spikes all powered baseballs out of the park, leading the Bowling Green Hot Rods (11-11) to a 16-7 victory over the Aberdeen IronBirds (9-12) on Tuesday at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Bowling Green jumpstarted the scoring in the top of the first against Aberdeen starter Michael Forret. Adrian Santana worked a leadoff walk, and Smtih cleared the bases with a two-run homer, making it a 2-0 Bowling Green lead.

The IronBirds fought back, plating one run in the second against Hot Rods starter Garrett Edwards. Aron Estrada led off with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Jake Cunningham singled him home, making it 2-1. Two more came in to score in the bottom of the third on a two-run homer from Griff O’Farrell, giving the IronBirds a 3-2 lead.

The Hot Rods offense erupted in the top of the seventh for six runs against the IronBirds bullpen. Raudelis Martinez led off with a double and Robertson homered, giving Bowling Green a 4-3 lead. Santana walked, Smith singled, and Horvath walked to load the bases. Noah Myers walked in a run, Daniel Vellojin scored another with a groundout, and Ryan Spikes drove in two more runs with a single, making it 8-3 Bowling Green.

Aberdeen added a run in the bottom of the seventh on a Vance Honeycutt RBI single, but Bowling Green answered with a three-run homer from Horvath in the top of the eighth.

In the ninth, Spikes led off with a solo homer, and Horvath blasted a grand slam. Abderdeen brought in three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but Bowling Green withstood their comeback attempt, winning 16-7.

Chris Villaman (3-0) picked up the win, allowing just one run on four hits while walking one and striking out two over 3.0 frames. Wyatt Cheney (0-1) was given the loss, surrendering three runs on one hits, walking three and striking out one in 1.1 innings.

The Hot Rods and IronBirds play the second game of a six-game series on Wednesday with a 6:05 PM CT first pitch at Ripken Stadium. Bowling Green will send out RHP Gary Gill Hill (1-0, 1.71) against Aberdeen RHP Ty Weatherly (0-2, 10.22)

Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.

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