Fine Fifth Inning Gives Hot Rods Win Over Cubs

Bowling Green, KY -- Continuing the second half of a week a home, the Bowling Green Hot Rods used five runs in the fifth inning to edge the South Bend Cubs by a score of 8-4 on Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark. 
Coming into the game with two straight shutouts from the pitching staff, the Hot Rods fell behind early as South Bend scored a run in the second inning and a run in the fourth inning to break out for a 2-0 early lead. 
Starting in the fourth inning, the Hot Rods began their comeback. Following a leadoff hit by pitch by outfielder Jesus Sanchez, the Hot Rods got back-to-back RBI doubles from catcher Rene Pinto and infielder Robbie Tenerowicz to tie the game up at two. 
After South Bend was able to retake the lead in the top of the fifth with a run, the Hot Rods batted around in the bottom of the tenth inning and scored five more runs. 
During the course of the inning, the Hot Rods hitters drew five walks. Highlighting the scoring was a RBI single from Sanchez and a two-run double with the bases loaded by outfielder Emilio Gustave . They also scored a run on a wild pitch and another run on an error. 
Rounding out the offense for Bowling Green, outfielder Garrett Whitley launched a solo homer in the seventh inning for his tenth roundtripper of the year. 
He is the third Hot Rods player with double-digit homers this season. 
On the pitching side, starter Willy Ortiz (W, 6-1) got the victory by giving up three runs in 5.2 innings pitched. He gave up just five hits with four strikeouts and three walks. 
Dating back to the start of his 2016 season with Princeton (Appalchian League), Ortiz owns a 14-1 record on mound. 
With the win, the Hot Rods have now won nine of their last ten games overall. They have won six straight games against South Bend and are now 10-3 against the Cubs this year. 
The Hot Rods will try to conitinue their winning ways by clinching another series victory on Monday with the third of four games against the South Bend Cubs at Bowling Green Ballpark. 
Bowling Green will send RHP Spencer Moran to the mound while South Bend will counter with RHP Tyler Peyton. 
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.williecountry.com (Click on BG Listen Live) or on Willie 107.9/AM 1340 in Southcentral Kentucky.