Hot Rods turn tables with seven-run 4th

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Trey Hair and Ronaldo Hernandez hit back-to-back home runs in a seven-run fourth inning, and the Bowling Green Hot Rods (35-24, 82-46) clinched a season-series victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (32-27, 75-54) with an 8-5 win on Wednesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.

The Lugnuts had seemingly taken control of the game, breaking a 1-1 tie in the top of the fourth against Hot Rods starter Tobias Myers with four runs, thanks to run-scoring base hits from Bryan Lizardo , Jesus Navarro , Samad Taylor and Norberto Obeso.

But the Hot Rods struck back in stunning fashion: The first seven Bowling Green batters reached and scored, starting with a fielding error by starter Kyle Weatherly (Loss, 3-2), a hit-by-pitch and a single before two-run doubles from both Taylor Walls and Moises Gomez spelled the end for Weatherly. Incoming reliever Brayden Bouchey was greeted by a Hair two-run homer to right and a Hernandez solo shot to left, giving the Hot Rods an 8-5 lead.

The Lugnuts loaded the bases with none out in the fifth inning against debuting right-hander Justin Marsden (Win, 1-0), but the Hot Rods' reliever struck out Lizardo and induced a double play from Vinny Capra to end the threat.

That began a string of 14 consecutive Lugnuts retired to end the game, with Marsden handling three innings and Tyler Zombro (Save, 6) recording the final six outs.

In defeat, Ryan Noda lashed his team-leading 17th home run of the season and Brody Rodning pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

Lugs right-hander Donnie Sellers (4.23 ERA) receives the start in the series finale, taking on Hot Rods right-hander Paul Campbell (3.38) at 7:35 p.m. Thursday.

The Nuts' next home game is an Eat-A-Palooza presented by Gordon Food Service on August 29th beginning at 7:05 p.m. against the Great Lakes Loons. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life at Cooley Law School Stadium, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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