Beckham has four hits to open series at Kannapolis

(Kannapolis, NC) - Tim Beckham recorded his third four hit game of the season on Friday night, picking up a double, three singles, and an RBI in the series opener with Kannapolis. His efforts, however, weren't enough as the Hot Rods dropped their fourth straight on this road trip, losing 10-4 to the Intimidators (35-18, 72-51). The loss drops the Hot Rods to 27-25 in the second half while leaving them at .500 overall with a 61-61 record.

The Hot Rods took the lead twice over the first three innings of the game. In the first inning, Justin Reynolds, batting in the lead-off spot, smacked a home run to start things off to give the Hot Rods a 1-0 lead. The long wall was Reynolds' third of the season, his first since May 1, coving 202 at-bats.

After Reynolds home run, Beckham's good night began with a double in the first inning before he was caught stealing. In the third, in a 1-1 game, Beckham came up with two outs and a man at third and laced a single to center to score Jason Tweedy to put the Hot Rods back on top, 2-1. It was Beckham's ninth hit of the road trip, producing his third RBI.

At that point, the Hot Rods led 2-1, but that lead would last. In the bottom of the third Kenny Williams hit the first pitch from Frank De Los Santos (4-9) over the left field wall to tie the game at 2-2. Then in the fourth inning, still tied at 2, De Los Santos loaded the bases with nobody out. He nearly got out of the inning before allowing a two-out, two-strike, two-run single to Drew Garcia to make it 4-2. He then surrendered a three-run homer to Brandon Short to push the lead to 7-2.

De Los Santos took the loss, lasting 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs, six earned, for a new season-high. He gave up seven hits, including two home runs, while striking out five and walking two to lose his third straight decision.

Bowling Green did make a game of it in the late innings. In the seventh, Beckham delivered his fourth hit of the game, an infield single to third with a man on. That put two men on for Kyeong Kang, who roped a triple to deep left-center field to cut the deficit to three runs at 7-4.

Kannapolis answered right back again, scoring two in the seventh against Josh Satow. They added another in the eighth to push the lead to 10-4 against Diego Echeverria.

In addition to Beckham's four hit game, Kang recorded his third straight multi-hit game on the trip, going 2-3 with another triple and two RBI. Reynolds had his home run while the Hot Rods got doubles from Tweedy and Jeremy Beckham.

The series continues with game two on Saturday night. RHP Nick Barnese (6-5, 2.29) starts game two against Kannapolis RHP Nevin Griffith (3-4, 3.69). First pitch is at 6:05 PM CDT. You can follow the game on the radio beginning at 5:50 PM with Tom Gauthier on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.

The Hot Rods return home for a seven-game home stand on Tuesday, August 25 against the West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates). The seven game home stand features Kraft Singles Tuesday, Thirsty Thursday presented by All Hit WUHU and No. 1 Country Beaver 96.7 on August 27, and post-game fireworks presented by WBKO on Friday, August 28. For tickets and a complete list of promotions visit www.bghotrods.com.