Blair and Field Help Lead Hot Rods to Extra-Innings Win

Fort Wayne, Ind. - Pat Blair hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Class-A/Tampa Bay Rays) a 3-1 lead in the seventh, but the Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres) tied the game with two home runs in the bottom of the ninth. Johnny Field's single in the top of the tenth put the Hot Rods back in front.

Fort Wayne went in front early with a run in the first inning. Mallex Smith began the frame when he reached on error. A throwing error by Chris Kirsch allowed him to reach third, and he advanced home on a single by Fernando Perez.

The score remained 1-0 in favor of Fort Wayne until Blair's big swing in the seventh. Oscar Hernandez started the rally by hitting the first pitch of the inning into left field for a single. Juniel Querecuto followed with a single of his own. Blair then blasted a fastball into the left-field seats to give Bowling Green the 3-1 lead. It was Blair's third home run of the season, and it upped his run batted in total to 27.

A pair of solo home runs tied the game for the TinCaps in the bottom of the ninth. Ryan Miller led off the inning with a home run to left-center field, and Henry Charles slammed a home run to right-center field one out later to tie the game.

The game moved to extra innings, and the Hot Rods quickly grabbed the lead back in the top of the tenth. With one out, Spencer Edwards singled to left field and stole second base. One out later, Field sliced a single to right-center field to drive home Edwards and put Bowling Green back in front, 4-3.

Colton Reavis (2-1) struck out two batters in a routine bottom of the tenth inning to earn the win. He also recorded the final two outs of the ninth inning. Kirsch allowed just one unearned run in five innings, and Stone Speer retired all six batters he faced out of the bullpen.

Nick Mutz (1-4) conceded the run in the tenth for Fort Wayne and he took the loss.

Now back on the winning track, the Hot Rods will try and build a winning streak Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT, and fans can follow the action on 1340 WBGN - The Ticket beginning with the Pepsi Pre-Game Show at 5:50 p.m. CT. Baseball will return to Bowling Green Ballpark on Tuesday, June 24, when the Hot Rods host Lake County (Cleveland Indians). For tickets and more information, fans can visit BGHotRods.com, call 270-901-2121, or stop by the Bowling Green Ballpark box office.

###

Hot Rods Baseball - It's Just #Funner