Bowling Green Hot Rods Lose 7-0 To Asheville Tourists

[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]

Kyeong Kang, serving as the Hot Rods designated hitter, stayed red hot for Bowling Green, picking up two more hits to extend his hitting streak to a season-best seven games. However, Kang’s efforts weren’t enough as the Hot Rods stumbled out of the gate in a series-opening 7-0 loss to Asheville (23-13, 49-56) at McCormick Field. The loss drops the Hot Rods (20-16, 54-51) another game behind the Tourists, a full three games back into third place in the second half standings.

Kang had a double in the third inning but was stranded at second when the next three Hot Rods couldn’t muster anything against starting pitcher Jonathan Aristil (W; 2-6). He added a wall-ball single in the seventh but, after stealing second, he was stranded once again. Kang finished the night 2-3 and is 10-23 (.435) over the seven-game stretch.

The Tourists got their first run in the bottom of the first against De Los Santos. Scott Robinson lined a single to center field before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Two pitches later Delta Cleary hit a ground ball to short, but Tim Beckham threw wildly to first allowing Robinson to come around for the game’s first run.

Two innings later Asheville broke the game open against De Los Santos. The inning started with an error by Mike Sheridan, his first since June 12. Thomas Field then singled before Field and David Christensen scored on a double by Robinson to push the lead to 3-0. Two batters later, Robinson, standing at third base, scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0. After Jordan Pacheco singled, he scored on a two-out double by Mike Zuanich to give the Tourists a 5-0 margin.

That was more than enough for Jonathan Aristil (W; 2-6), who picked up just his second win of the season. The right-hander held the Hot Rods scoreless over 6.2 innings, never once allowing a runner past second base. He surrendered six hits, including two doubles, but managed to put out the fire after both extra-base hits. He struck out six and walked one, at one point retiring 10 of 11 batters he faced.

The Hot Rods now sit at 2-2 on the road trip and will continue their series with Asheville on Wednesday night at McCormick Field. RHP Nick Barnese (5-4, 2.30) makes his third start against the Tourists against RHP Parker Frazier (8-7, 4.94). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM CDT. You can follow the action with Tom Gauthier on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com beginning at 5:50 PM CDT.

The Hot Rods return home to begin an eight-game home stand on Saturday, August 8 at 7:05 PM. The first 1,000 fans into that night’s game against Greenville (Boston Red Sox) will received a replica of Bowling Green Ballpark courtesy of BB&T. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or head to the Hot Rods ticket office at the corner of 8th Avenue and Center Street at Bowling Green Ballpark.