Bowling Green, Kentucky – Starting pitcher Trevor Harrison dealt a career-high 10 strikeouts, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (75-38, 28-20) dropped Tuesday night’s opener 6-4 against the Greensboro Grasshoppers (69-46, 28-21) at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Harrison became the third Hot Rods pitcher to strike out 10 or more in a game this season, joining Jacob Kisting and Anderson Brito. The right-hander struck out the side twice and surrendered just two earned runs over 5.0 frames.
The Hot Rods drew first blood with one run in the bottom of the first inning against Grasshoppers starter Ronaldo Gallo. Nathan Flewelling drilled a one-out homer to right-center field for a 1-0 advantage.
Greensboro evened the game with one run against Harrison in the top of the second inning. Jhonny Severino singled, back-to-back walks from Tony Blanco Jr. and Dylan Palmer loaded the bases. A Shalin Polanco RBI groundout plated Severino, tying the contest at 1-1.
The Grasshoppers grabbed the lead with one run off Harrison in the top of the third inning. Edward Florentino powered a solo home run to right field, making it 2-1.
Bowling Green responded with three runs against reliever Hung-Leng Chang in the bottom of the fourth inning. A Ryan Cermak RBI base knock tied the game at 2-2, Ryan McCoy smacked a go-ahead triple to left, and a Nicandro Aybar single to left field gave the Hot Rods a 4-2 edge.
Greensboro pulled one run back against Harrison in the top of the fifth inning. Edward Florentino reached on a fielding error and moved to second on a single. Florentino stole third and scored on a throwing error, cutting Bowling Green’s lead to 4-3.
The Grasshoppers regained the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth inning against relief arm Mason Nichols. Palmer logged a base hit and Shalin Polanco clubbed a go-ahead two-run home run to right field. Ensuing batter Wyatt Sanford struck a solo shot to center for a 6-4 Greensboro advantage.
Both bullpens held serve from there. Greiber Mendez kept Bowling Green off the board in the bottom of the ninth, wrapping up a 6-4 final score.
Chang earned the win with 5.1 relief innings, giving up three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. Nichols (1-2) was charged with the loss, surrendering three runs on three hits and adding three strikeouts in 1.0 frame. Greiber Mendez (1) delivered the save with 2.0 shutout innings, striking out one and allowing one hit.
The Hot Rods and Grasshoppers play game two of a six-game series Wednesday night at 6:35 PM CT. Bowling Green will send RHP Jonathan Russell (2-0, 4.34) to the mound against Greensboro RHP Jack Anker (2-1, 4.67)
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