Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (75-39, 28-21) swiped five bases, breaking their all-time single-season franchise record in a 6-5 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (70-46, 29-21) on Wednesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The Hot Rods’ 265 stolen bases this season surpasses Bowling Green’s 262 steals from the 2024 team.
The Hot Rods broke the ice with two runs in the bottom of the first inning against starting pitcher Jack Anker. Tony Santa Maria drilled a two-run single to left field for a 2-0 edge. Ryan Cermak reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second base, and Ryan McCoy punished Greensboro with a two-run home run to right-center field, inflating the lead to 4-0.
Bowling Green added another run against Anker in the bottom of the fourth inning. Noah Myers logged a one out base knock and stole second, moving to third on a Jhon Diaz fielder’s choice. Summerhill brought him home with an RBI single to left, making it 5-0 Hot Rods.
Greensboro got on the board with three runs against relief arm Jadon Bercovich in the top of the fifth. Dylan Palmer reached on an error, Edward Florentino collected a walk, and Yordany De Los Santos hit a three-run home run to left-center field, trimming Bowling Green’s advantage down to 5-3.
The Grasshoppers tied the game in the top of the seventh against reliever Andres Galan. Wyatt Sanford rolled a single to center and Florentino followed with a two-run homer to right-center field, evening the game at 5-5.
The visitors took their first lead in the top of the ninth against bullpen arm Kaleb Corbett. Shalin Polanco smacked a solo shot into the right-field bullpen for a 6-5 Greensboro advantage.
The Hot Rods put the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth, but a Nathan Flewelling flyout to the right-center field warning track wrapped up a 6-5 final score.
Brandon Cain (1-1) delivered the win, firing 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out one. Corbett (4-4) was tagged with the loss, surrendering one run on one hit, two walks and added one strikeout in 1.0 inning. Victor Cabreja (1) earned the save, retiring the last two batters and fanning one.
The Bowling Green Bootleggers return to the diamond on Thursday night for a 6:35 PM CT first pitch. Bowling Green will send LHP Blake Morgan (0-1, 3.60) to the mound against Greensboro RHP Levi Sterling (0-0, 0.00).
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