Summerhill Clubs Grand Slam, Hot Rods Fall 7-5 to Spartanburgers

Bowling Green, Kentucky – Tampa Bay Rays’ No. 20 prospect Brendan Summerhill lifted a second-inning grand slam, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (72-31, 25-13) fell short in a 7-5 defeat to the Hub City Spartanburgers (47-56, 13-24) on Wednesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.

The Spartanburgers struck early with three runs against Hot Rods starter Kaleb Corbett in the top of the first inning. Hub City strung together four consecutive hits to open the game. Gleider Figuero logged a run-scoring single, Maxton Martin posted an RBI groundout, and a passed ball gave the visitors a 3-0 advantage.

Bowling Green flipped the script with four runs in the bottom of the second inning against Hub City starting pitcher A.J. Russell. Narciso Polanco singled, Ryan McCoy walked, and Noah Myers was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Summerhill spiked a go-ahead grand slam to right-center field for a 4-3 Hot Rods lead.

The Hot Rods tagged another run in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan Cermak walked, swiped second, and came around to score on a Hub City fielding error for a 5-3 Bowling Green margin.

Hub City plated one run against reliever Cade Citelli in the top of the fourth. Martin slugged a solo home run to right-center field, bringing the Spartanburgers within one.

The visitors took a 6-5 lead with two runs in the top of the fifth inning against relief arm Jacob Hartlaub. Chandler Pollard walked, Paxton Kling reached on a fielder’s choice, and Casey Cook worked a walk to load the bases. Luke Hanson evened the game with an RBI groundout, Figuero knocked in the go-ahead run with a single to right field.

The Spartanburgers tallied another run in the top of the eighth against reliever Noah Beal. Martin tagged a leadoff home run to right field for a 7-5 Hub City margin.

Right-hander Luimy Muñoz kept Bowling Green off the board in the bottom of the ninth, wrapping up a 7-5 final score.

Anthony Susac (5-2) delivered the win with 2.2 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts. Hartlaub (0-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on two hits, two walks with two punchouts mixed in. Muñoz (1) earned the save with a hitless ninth inning, walking one batter and fanning one.

The Bowling Green Bootleggers return to the diamond on Thursday night for game three of this six-game series. Bowling Green will send RHP Trevor Harrison (2-1, 5.19) to the mound, Hub City will open with RHP Kamdyn Perry (0-3, 10.36) for a 6:35 PM CT first pitch.

Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.

###

Hot Rods Baseball