[Via email from the Bowling Green Hot Rods' broadcaster Tom Gauthier.]Tim Beckham had two more hits on Sunday afternoon, continuing a torrid road trip through North Carolina. But, sounding a familiar note, Beckham’s individual efforts were not enough to stave off another loss for the Hot Rods as they dropped a 9-3 decision in Kannapolis. The loss is the sixth straight for Bowling Green (27-27, 61-63), leaving them eight games out of first in the Southern Division. The Hot Rods playoff hopes also took a hit, as Asheville won, expanding the Tourists lead to eight games while reducing the Hot Rods elimination number to eight with 16 games to go in the regular season.
Beckham began his day with a single in the fourth inning with Bowling Green trailing 2-0. He looped one down the left field line to extend the hitting streak to seven games. He scored two batters later on a Jason Corder double to cut the Hot Rods deficit to 2-1.
In the sixth inning, with the Hot Rods trailing 6-1, Beckham followed an Anthony Scelfo single with a double to right, his 32nd of the season. Both he and Scelfo eventually scored on singles from Isaias Velasquez and Mike Sheridan, to cut into the lead at 6-3.
Beckham’s 32nd double ties him for the fifth most in the South Atlantic League. He now leads all shortstops in Low Class A (South Atlantic and Midwest Leagues) while ranking third among all minor league shortstops in the two-base hit category. He also had 122 hits, moving him up to fifth in the Sally League. On the road trip Beckham is hitting an even .500 with 14 hits in 28 at-bats.
Kannapolis got its runs thanks to a solo home run from Josh Phegley in the second. An inning later they produced three hits against Matt Moore (8-5), including an RBI knock from Jared Mitchell to grab a 2-0 lead at the time.
After the Hot Rods scored in the fourth, Kannapolis put up a four-spot in their half of the fourth. Still facing Moore, three straight Intimidators reached with one out to load the bases for Jon Gilmore. Moore retired Gilmore before allowing a two-run single by Phegley to push the lead to 4-1. He gave way to Shane Dyer with runners at first and second. Dyer then proceeded two allow consecutive base hits to plate two more runs for a 6-1 Kannapolis lead.
The Intimidators added three more insurance runs in the seventh inning, getting a bases loaded walk by Drew Garcia from Shane Dyer. Brandon Short followed with a sacrifice fly before Jon Gilmore plated the final run with a single to center field.
Moore took the loss, his first since the end of July. He allowed career-highs with six earned runs and eight hits, allowing his fourth homer of the season. He struck out three to boost his league-leading total to 159.
Joe Serafin (2-1) earned the win, giving up three runs on seven hits. He didn’t walk anyone while striking out four. The Kannapolis bullpen pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk.
In addition to Beckham, Jason Corder had two hits, including an RBI double. He has hit safely in seven of eight while Sheridan extended his hitting streak to three games. Kyeong Kang had his 22nd double to push his hitting streak to five games.
The Hot Rods and Intimidators will wrap up their series on Monday night as RHP Chris Andujar (10-3, 2.85) faces Kannapolis RHP Stephen Sauer (6-5, 3.51). First pitch is at 6:05 PM CDT. You can follow the game on the radio beginning at 5:50 PM with Tom Gauthier on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.
The Hot Rods return home for a seven-game home stand on Tuesday, August 25 against the West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates). The seven game home stand features Kraft Singles Tuesday, Thirsty Thursday presented by All Hit WUHU and No. 1 Country Beaver 96.7 on August 27, and post-game fireworks presented by WBKO on Friday, August 28. For tickets and a complete list of promotions visit www.bghotrods.com.
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