Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Ryan Cermak launched two homers, becoming the eighth Bowling Green Hot Rods (77-44, 30-25) hitter to record a multi-homer game in 2026, but the power wasn’t enough, falling to the Winston-Salem Dash (68-54, 30-26) by a score of 10-7 on Thursday at Truist Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The Hot Rods jumped ahead with two runs in the top of the first against Dash starter Dylan Carmouche. Narciso Polanco worked a two-out walk, and Cermak pulverized a two-run home run to left field, giving Bowling Green a 2-0 edge.
Winston-Salem rallied against starting pitcher Dominic Fritton in the bottom of the third inning, plating three runs. A two-run double from Ely Brown evened the game. Brown moved to third on a Javier Mogollon single and scored on a wild pitch, making it 3-2 Dash.
Bowling Green regained the lead with two runs in the top of the fourth inning off Carmouche. Cermak’s second home run soared to right-center field, evening the game at 3-3. Nicandro Aybar doubled to left and scored on a Jhon Diaz base hit to right field, handing the Hot Rods a 4-3 advantage.
The Dash scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning against Fritton. Jeral Perez singled, James Taussig walked, and a Fritton throwing error moved the runners to second and third. Kaleb Freeman dribbled a go-ahead base knock to center field for a 5-4 Winston-Salem lead.
The hosts hung five runs in the bottom of the sixth against the Bowling Green bullpen. Derek Cerda drove in one runner with a double, Mogollon plated another run with a single, and George Wolkow scored three with a triple, making it 10-4 Dash.
The Hot Rods got back on the board with three runs in the top of the seventh against Aric McAtee. Bowling Green loaded the bases with three singles, and Brendan Summerhill drove in a pair with a base hit to right field. Tony Santa Maria rolled a single into center, cutting the Dash’s lead down to 10-7.
Bowling Green’s bats were held in check from there. Reliever Jake Curtis hurled 2.0 scoreless frames to secure a 10-7 final score.
Carmouche (2-2) recorded the win, allowing four runs on four hits, walking two and striking out four over 5.0 frames. Fritton (0-4) was given the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits while walking four and striking out seven across 4.2 innings. Curtis (4) earned the save, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings, giving up one hit while striking out two.
The Hot Rods and Dash play game four of a six-game series Friday night at 5:30 PM CT. Bowling Green rolls with LHP Dominic Niman (7-6, 4.31) on the mound against Winston-Salem LHP Justin Sinibaldi (5-3, 4.82).
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.
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Hot Rods Baseball