Hot Rods Tie Franchise Record With Ninth Straight Win

Bowling Green, KY - Starting up a four-game series at Bowling Green Ballpark, the Bowling Green Hot Rods tied a franchise-record with nine straight wins in a 7-3 victory against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Saturday night.

After finishing off their weeklong roadtrip with a perfect 7-0 record, the Hot Rods matched their season-high win streak with their #23 come-from-behind victory of the year.

Down 1-0 in the fourth inning, outfielder David Olmedo-Barrera came through with a RBI single and ended up scoring on the same play due to a throwing error to give the Hot Rods the lead.

One inning later, Bowling Green got a RBI single by second basemen Brandon Lowe to go up by s score of 3-1.

Unfortunately for the Hot Rods, they were unable to hold the lead for starter Jose Mujica, who twirled his sixth straight quality start (6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 5 K) en route to a no-decision.

In the seventh inning, Whitecaps third basemen Jose Zambrano singled against Fernando Baez, advanced second on walk, reached third and then scored on subsequent wild pitches to bring the Whitecaps to within a run.

During the next inning, West Michigan first basemen Will Allen hit a solo homer off of Baez to tie up the game.

Fortunately for the Hot Rods, they reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame against Whitecaps reliever Trent Szkutnik (L, 3-2). With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Bowling Green got a two-run single by Kewby Meyer and a two-run double from shortstop Michael Russell to take a 7-3 lead.

For Russell, the double capped off a night where he went 4-for-4, pacing a Hot Rods offense that churned out 13 hits.

Bowling Green is now alone in first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division in the second half with a 28-13, 0.5 games ahead of the South Bend Cubs.

With the win, the Hot Rods tied a team record with their ninth straight win, set two other times. Bowling Green won nine straight games last month and did it in 2012.

Overall, the Hot Rods are now 20-4 in their last 24 games.

Bowling Green will continue with their homestand against the West Michigan Whitecaps with the second of four games at Bowling Green Ballpark on Sunday. The Hot Rods will send Eduar Lopez to the mound to help the Hot Rods try to secure their longest win streak in franchise history while the Whitecaps will counter with Beau Burrows.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 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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