South Bend Spoils Kirsch's Gem to Give BG First Loss

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Bowling Green Hot Rods (Class-A/Tampa Bay Rays) received an outstanding pitching performance from Chris Kirsch, but the South Bend Silver Hawks (Arizona Diamondbacks) used two run-scoring groundouts to beat the Hot Rods on Saturday night, 2-0.

Kirsch (0-1) allowed just one hit, and only issued one free pass. The left-hander struck out five Silver Hawk batters, and only had one runner reach second base. Unfortunately that runner scored, and Kirsch earned the tough-luck loss.

Adam Miller (1-0) used his limited run support to earn the win. He worked five and two-thirds innings, and allowed just three hits while striking out seven Hot Rods.

Andrew Velazquez led off the game with a double, and he would end up being the only hit off of Kirsch. A sacrifice bunt by Josh Parr moved him to third base, and he later scored when Daniel Palka grounded out.

South Bend would add the second and final run of the game in the sixth. Breland Almadova was hit by a Luis Cabrera offering to start the frame. He stole second, moved to third on a grounder, and then scored when Parr grounded out to second base. That gave the game its final margin of 2-0.

Pitching was dominant, even beyond the starters. The two teams combined to hold the offenses to just six hits, and both staffs compiled a total of 22 strikeouts to just two walks.

The Hot Rods and Silver Hawks wrap-up their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark. It's the first Family Sundae of the season, and that means half-price ice cream at the ballpark. Gates will open at 1 p.m., with the first pitch being tossed at 2:05 p.m. Hunter Wood will get the ball for the Hot Rods as they try to secure the series victory.

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