Diaz Homers in Third Straight Game, Hot Rods Win 8-3

Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Jhon Diaz became the first Bowling Green Hot Rods (77-43, 30-25) player since Dru Baker in August of 2023 to homer in three consecutive games, helping the team to an 8-3 victory over the Winston-Salem Dash (67-54, 29-26) at Truist Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Bowling Green broke the ice with one run in the top of the first against starter Mason Moore. Tony Santa Maria walked, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Ryan McCoy dribbled an RBI single to right field to plate Santa Maria, making it 1-0 Hot Rods.

The Dash evened the game with one run in the bottom of the second against starting pitcher Blake Morgan. George Wolkow singled, moved to third on a Jeral Perez base knock, and scored on a double play to even the game at 1-1.

The Hot Rods regained the lead with one big swing in the top of the third frame. Diaz belted a solo home run off Moore, giving Bowling Green a 2-1 advantage.

Winston-Salem tied the game with a solo shot of their own in the bottom of the third. Kyle Lodise clubbed a homer to left-center field, knotting the contest at 2-2.

The Hot Rods plated another go-ahead run in the top of the fourth inning against Moore. Ryan Cermak earned a walk, advanced to second on a groundout, and crossed home on a Nicandro Aybar RBI knock for a 3-2 Bowling Green lead.

Another three runs came home for the Hot Rods in the top of the fifth inning against bullpen arm Jack Young. Santa Maria singled, McCoy walked, and Cermak smoked a three-run home run to left-center field, ballooning the margin to 6-2.

Bowling Green added one run in the top of the sixth frame against Max Banks. Santa Maria connected for a double and McCoy notched another RBI with a single to right for a 7-2 edge.

The Hot Rods claimed another run in the top of the seventh inning against reliever Seth Keener. Aybar legged out a double, moved to third on a Ricardo Gonzalez base knock, and touched home on a Diaz RBI single, increasing the lead to 8-2.

Winston-Salem salvaged one run in the bottom of the ninth against bullpen arm Andy Rodriguez. Lodise recorded an automatic double and scored on a pinch-hit single by James Taussig, reducing the margin to 8-3. Rodriguez collected a 6-4-3 double play after that, wrapping up an 8-3 victory.

Bercovich (1-0) received the win, allowing one run on two hits over 1.1 innings, walking two and striking out two. Moore (0-1) was given the loss, surrendering three runs on four hits, walking three and striking out two over 3.2 innings.

The Hot Rods and Dash play game three of a six-game series Thursday night at 5:30 PM CT. Bowling Green goes with LHP Dominic Fritton (0-3, 7.36) to start against Winston-Salem RHP Dylan Carmouche (1-2, 6.63).

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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