Martinez Homer Powers Bootleggers to 2-1 Win

Bowling Green, Kentucky– Pedro Martinez’s two-run homer was all the Bowling Green Bootleggers (69-30) needed to take down the Rome Braves (43-55) in a 2-1 win on Thursday at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hot Rods and Braves play the fourth game of a six-game series on Friday with a 6:35 PM CT first pitch.

For the first time in the series, Bowling Green brought in the first run of the game. With Rome starter William Woods on the mound, the Bootleggers scored two runs in the bottom of the second frame. With two outs, Erik Ostberg worked a walk to keep the inning alive. Martinez came up and put the Bootleggers on the board with a two-run homer, giving Bowling Green a 2-0 lead.

Rome scored their first and only run of the game in the fourth inning with Bowling Green starter Evan McKendry on the mound. Riley Delgado reached second base on a throwing error and advanced to third on a ground ball by Jesse Franklin V. During the next at-bat, Delgado scored on a wild pitch to bring the score to 2-1. For the last five innings neither team scored, giving Bowling Green a 2-1 victory.

McKendry pitched 4.0 innings, giving up one run (unearned) on three hits with one strikeout. Michael Mercado (2-5) tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, striking out three and allowing two hits in his second win of the year. Angel Felipe hurled 2.0 scoreless innings as well, giving up one hit while walking and striking out one. Alan Strong tossed the final inning, striking out two and picking up his first save of the season.