Hot Rods, Whitecaps Split Doubleheader

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The Bowling Green Hot Rods and West Michigan Whitecaps split a double header this afternoon, with the Whitecaps taking a 2-1 extra inning win in game one, while the Hot Rods took game two, 6-2. The extra inning in game one was the Hot Rods first experience with the new extra inning rule.
LHP Resly Linares spun a gem in game one, throwing seven no-hit innings. He allowed just two base runners- a hit batter in the third on a 1-2 curveball and an error in the seventh. He threw 85 pitches, collecting seven strikeouts, but ultimately received a no-decision.
Unfortunate for Linares, the Hot Rods could only manage four hits of their own in the contest, and neither team scored until the eighth inning.
With 1B Devin Davis standing off of second as part of the new extra inning rule implemented by Minor League Baseball, the Hot Rods used a fielder's choice to score their only run of the game. The run is officially unearned, by rule.
Bowling Green took a 1-0 lead to the bottom of the inning, and RHP Nick Padilla came on with the no-hitter still in-tact. However, the Whitecaps hit three consecutive singles to walk off 2-1 winners after DH Jordan Pearce starting the inning off of second base.
In the second game, the Hot Rods scored three runs in the first inning and jumped all over Whitecaps starter RHP  Garett King. INFs Zach Rutherford and Devin Davis each collected RBI singles in the frame, which was aided by a West Michigan fielding error.
The Whitecaps scored twice in the third to get within one, but the Hot Rods answered with another run on a SS Taylor Walls RBI double, making it 4-2 Bowling Green after four innings.
In the seventh, C Zac Law put the game away with a towering home run to left field that cleared the scoreboard and left the ballpark, giving Bowling Green the final margin of 6-2.
RHP Drew Strotman (1-0, 4.02) earned his first win of the season. He threw six innings, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned), walking two and striking out three. RHP Burris Warner (1-1, 1.64) took the loss, as he threw three innings, allowing eight hits and three runs (one earned), striking out two.
The Hot Rods will look to win the series tomorrow when RHP Austin Franklin (1-1, 4.66) takes the ball. The Whitecaps will counter with RHP Elvin Rodriguez (0-0, 4.15). First pitch is set for 5:35pm Central.
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