Three Run First Sends Lugnuts to 3-2 Win

LANSING, MI - The Bowling Green Hot Rods (25-16) dropped a 3-2 decision to the Lansing Lugnuts (28-14) this evening at Cooley Law School Stadium. A three run first inning for the Lugnuts was all the hosts needed to secure their 28^th win of the year.
Bowling Green took a 1-0 lead after a half inning, as 2B Vidal Brujan scored on C Ronaldo Hernandez ' first RBI double of the night.
Lansing responded right away, sending eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a two run home run to right field off the bat of SS Kevin Smith . Another run scored a few batters later on an infield single, making it 3-1 Lansing.
In the fifth, the Hot Rods got on the board again. A one out infield single from SS Taylor Walls , who later stole second, led to another Hernandez RBI double, making the deficit 3-2.
Bowling Green had their chances in the eighth and ninth innings. In the eighth, RF Eleardo Cabrera hit a single to left center with runners on first and second. However, before the Hot Rods could score the run, a base running mistake ended the inning.
In the ninth, the Hot Rods loaded the bases with one out. But a pop out to short and a ground ball to third ended the game.
RHP Riley O'Brien (1-1, 2.63) took the loss. He was solid after the first inning, as he retired the final 10 batters he faced.
The Hot Rods and Lugnuts will play a rubber match tomorrow afternoon at 1:05pm Eastern. RHP Drew Strotman (2-0, 3.40) will get the start for the Hot Rods, while the Lugnuts will counter with RHP Maximo Castillo (2-0, 4.81).
 
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