Montilla stays hot, Hawks drop finale
With the loss, the Silver Hawks and Hot Rods are now tied for second place in the Eastern Division, 6.5 games behind the Lansing Lugnuts.
Montilla's first-inning long ball put the Silver Hawks up 2-0, but the Hot Rods reeled off five straight runs to take a 5-2 lead. The Hawks clawed back with two runs in the eighth inning but came up just a run short.
Ryan Carpenter (5-2) got the win for Bowling Green, allowing two earned runs on three hits over five innings. John Pedrotty (1-3) allowed four earned runs on four hits over 5.2 innings and was saddled with his third loss. The left-hander struck out five and walked five.
Down 5-2, the Silver Hawks rallied for two runs in the eighth inning off left-hander Justin Woodall. Ryan Court was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Tom Belza singled in a run to pull the Hawks to within a run. Hubbard came in to get the final two outs and the Silver Hawks left the bases loaded in the inning.
The Hot Rods got solo home runs from Josh Sale and Drew Vettleson. Vettleson's came in the third inning and gave Bowling Green a lead they would never relinquish.
Right-hander Willy Paredes worked 1.2 innings out of the Silver Hawks bullpen and allowed one earned run on two hits. D.J. Johnson tossed a scoreless eighth inning.
Matt Helm doubled high off the right-center field wall in the fourth inning.
The Silver Hawks return home Wednesday to begin a three-game series with the Lake County Captains (19-19). First pitch is on tap for 7:05 p.m. from Coveleski Stadium. Right-hander Jesse Darrah (3-1, 3.48) starts for South Bend and he will be opposed by left-hander Shawn Morimando(0-0, 6.00). Tickets are available for purchase by calling 235-9988 or online at www.silverhawks.com.