Hot Rods Edge Kernels, Win 8th Straight Game

Cedar Rapids, IA - Starting up a three-game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels and a six-game roadtrip overall, the Bowling Green Hot Rods squandered an early lead but ultimately held on the win the series opener at Perfect Game Field by a score of 5-4 on Wednesday night.

After sweeping a pair of three-game sets at home, the Hot Rods broke out early against Kernels starter Lachlan Wells (L, 2-2) to take the early lead.

In the first inning, outfielder Zacrey Law reached on an error to begin the game and then moved to third on a single from outfielder David Olmedo-Barrera. Later in the inning, a RBI single by third basemen Kevin Padlo and a run-scoring groundout from catcher Brett Sullivan plated Law and Paldo and put the Hot Rods on top by two early.

With the score still 2-0 in the third inning, Bowling Green capped off a two-out rally with a pair of RBI singles from Sullivan and shortstop Michael Russell to double the Hot Rods lead.

For Sullivan, the single made him the first player in the Midwest League to reach 60 RBI this year.  

Despite the four-run advantage, Cedar Rapids was able to get back into the game with a two-out rally of their own against Bowling Green starter Mike Velasquez (W, 4-7). Following a two-out walk by Zander Wiel, the reigning Midwest League Player of the Week scored on a RBI double by outfielder Jaylin Davis to put the Kernels on the board. Following another walk by third basemen Chris Ibarra, all were brought home on a three-run homer by J.J Fernandez that tied up the game at 4-4.

Fortunately for the Hot Rods, the game did not stay tied for long.

During the first at-bat in the top of the fifth, Law launched a solo homer over the left-field wall against Wells to give Bowling Green back the lead. The homer for Law increased his hit streak to eight games.

Up by one, the Hot Rods were able to hold on to their second lead as Velasquez (6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 K, 2 BB) along with relievers Fernando Baez and Tim Ingram blanked the Kernels through the final five innings to earn the victory. Baez tossed two scoreless without giving up a hit while Ingram notched his first save of the year with Bowling Green with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth.

With the win, the Hot Rods increased their win streak to a season-long eight games. It is the longest win streak since 2011, where Bowling Green won a franchise-record nine games in a row.

Overall, the Hot Rods are now 15-4 against the Western Division this season and 30-12 against the West since the start of the 2015 season.

Bowling Green will continue with their six-game road trip at with the second of three contests at Cedar Rapids on Thursday night. The Hot Rods will send Blake Bivens to the bump while the Kernels will counter with Dereck Rodriguez.   

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.bghotrods.com via the MLB TuneIn Radio Application or on 1340 The Ticket in Southcentral Kentucky.

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