Hot Rods even series with 14-4 Win over Rome Braves
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Ruben Cardenas’ grand slam helped lead the charge as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (15-11) put up two six-run innings in a 14-4 win over the Rome Braves (15-11) on Wednesday at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hot Rods and Braves play the third game of the six-game series Thursday with a 6:35 PM CT first pitch.
The Braves scored runs in the first and second innings against Hot Rods starter Michael Mercado. Bowling Green tied the game in the bottom of the third inning against Rome reliever Alan Rangel. With one out, Greg Jones walked and Blake Hunt homered, tying the game at 2-2.
The Hot Rods offense jumped on the Rome pitching staff in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six runs. After chasing Rangel out of the game, Mitch Stallings entered with the bases loaded. Cardenas hit a grand slam to give the Hot Rods an 8-2 lead. In the top of the fifth Kevin Josesphina hit a solo home run off Hot Rods pitcher Michael Costanzo to make it an 8-3 lead for Bowling Green.
Six more runs scored in the bottom of the sixth inning. Niko Hulsizer, Luis Trevino, and Jordan Qsar all worked bases-loaded walks. Jacson McGowan hit a two-run double, scoring Hulsizer and Trevino, and moving Qsar to third. Qsar scored on a wild pitch to increase the Hot Rods edge to 14-3. Beau Philip homered in the seventh off Carlos Garcia, but Bowling Green went on to win 14-4.
Mercado tossed 4.0 innings, allowing four hits, two runs, and one walk while striking out six in a no-decision. Costanzo (1-0) pitched 2.0 innings, giving up two hits and one run, striking out six and walking one in his first win of the season. Garcia hurled 2.0 innings while surrendering two hits, one run, one walk and striking out three. Cristofer Ogando pitched 1.0 perfect inning and struck out one.
