Bowling Green, Kentucky – Tampa Bay Rays’ No. 2 prospect Nathan Flewelling drove in a career-high five RBI, powering the Bowling Green Hot Rods (74-33, 27-15) to an 11-2 victory over the Hub City Spartanburgers (49-58, 15-26) on Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green Kentucky.
The Hot Rods started strong with two runs in the bottom of the first against Spartanburgers starter Enrique Segura. Tony Santa Maria sailed a leadoff home run to left field for a 1-0 Bowling Green advantage. Flewelling singled and scored on a Noah Myers double for a 2-0 lead.
Hub City responded with one run in the top of the second inning against Bowling Green starting pitcher Dominic Niman. Quincy Scott logged a base hit, moved to second on an Antonis Macias single, and came across on a Hot Rods throwing error, making it 2-1.
The Spartanburgers tied the game with one run in the top of the third against Niman. Casey Cook lifted a solo home run to right-center field, evening the game at 2-2.
Bowling Green regained the lead in the bottom of the third off Segura. Santa Maria walked and Flewelling connected for a two-run shot to right-center field, handing the Hot Rods a 4-2 lead. Ryan McCoy laced a triple, and Myers added another RBI with a base hit to center field, making it 5-2.
The Hot Rods delivered one run in the bottom of the fourth inning against Anthony Susac. Santa Maria roped a double, got to third on a flyout, and scored on a Spartanburgers fielding error to grow the lead to 6-2.
The hosts tallied one more in the bottom of the sixth inning against bullpen arm J’Briell Easley. Juanfel Peguero worked a walk and raced in from first base on a Narciso Polanco double, increasing Bowling Green’s margin to 7-2.
Bowling Green drilled in four more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. A Myers solo homer and Flewelling three-run double off reliever Luke Savage made it 11-2 Hot Rods.
Kaleb Corbett hurled a scoreless top of the ninth inning, wrapping up a nine-run win.
Reliever Cade Citelli (6-1) received the win, throwing a scoreless inning, walking one and punching out two. Segura (1-4) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits, one walk and four strikeouts over 2.1 innings.
The Hot Rods travel to Frederick, Maryland for a six-game series against the Frederick Keys at Nymeo Field. Game one is scheduled for a 6:00 PM CT first pitch on Tuesday.
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