Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Tony Santa Maria logged two doubles, driving in two runs, helping the Bowling Green Hot Rods (79-45, 32-27) to a 5-4 victory, securing a series split against the Winston-Salem Dash (69-56, 31-28) on Sunday at Truist Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The Hot Rods started strong with five runs in the top of the first inning against starting pitcher Drew McDaniel. Santa Maria uncorked a two-run double, Carlos Colmenarez slashed another two-run double, and a McDaniel wild pitch plated Colmenarez for a 5-0 advantage.
Winston-Salem got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning against reliever Jonathan Russell. Nick McLain hit a solo home run to right field, making it 5-1 Hot Rods.
The Dash plated another run in the bottom of the fifth inning against Russell. Derek Cerda doubled to left field and touched home on a Javier Mogollon base knock to center field, pulling Winston-Salem’s deficit down to three.
The hosts put up one more run against Russell in the bottom of the sixth frame. Jeral Perez and McLain logged back-to-back doubles, McLain scoring Perez, to reduce Bowling Green’s advantage to 5-3.
Winston-Salem plated one run in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Jacob Hartlaub. Kaleb Freeman walked, Cerda was plunked, and Ely Brown recorded an RBI single to right field, making it 5-4.
Hartlaub shut the game down from there, stranding the tying run at third base for a 5-4 Bowling Green win.
Russell (3-1) received the win, hurling 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six. McDaniel (2-8) was given the loss, surrendering five runs on five hits, walking two and striking out two across 4.0 frames. Hartlaub (1) earned the save, pitching 2.0 innings, letting up one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout.
The Hot Rods begin their final series of the regular season against the Greenville Drive on Tuesday night. First pitch at Bowling Green Ballpark is slated for 6:35 PM CT.
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