Dayton, OH – Brett Nommensen smacked a three-run homer to help the Hot Rods (5-19) build an early 5-1 lead in their series finale in Dayton on Monday night. But under swirling storm clouds, the Dragons (13-11) rebounded for nine unanswered runs to grab a series-sweeping 10-5 win at Fifth Third Field.
The Hot Rods opened the scoring in support of Rodriguez with consecutive one-out hits in the top of the second inning. Eligio Sonoqui shot a double down the left field line, picking up his first two-base hit of the season. He was followed by Dustin Biell, who lined a single into right field to bring Sonoqui home for a 1-0 Hot Rods lead.
After the Dragons tied it up in the third, Bowling Green went back on top thanks to a four-run fifth. Julio Cedeno began the inning with a double before Kyle Spraker and Robi Estrada were both retired for the first two outs of the inning. Ty Morrison bailed the Hot Rods out, however, poking a bloop single into shallow center field to score Cedeno and give the Hot Rods a 2-1 lead.
That’s when things got bizarre. Tyler Bortnick followed Morrison with a bouncing ball to second base, and it appeared the Dragons were out of the inning on a force out at second base. But, home plate umpire Rocky Craig called catcher’s interference on the play, meaning Morrison was safe at second and Bortnick was on at first. The mistake proved costly as Brett Nommensen followed with a three-run homer to right field, pushing the Hot Rods in front 5-1 entering the bottom of the fifth.
That’s when the game turned in favor of the Dragons, complete with an ominous-looking cloud rolling in front left field. With one out, the Dragons strung together four hits, scoring a pair of runs against Rodriguez, cutting the deficit to 5-3. An inning later, against relief pitcher Deivis Mavarez, the Dragons tacked on another four runs in the sixth, the go-ahead blast coming on a two-out double from Henry Rodriguez.
Dayton continued its rally into the seventh inning, scoring two more against Mavarez and an additional run against Kirby Yates. Over a three inning span, Dayton pounded out 12 hits and scored nine unanswered runs to take a 10-5 lead.
That was enough, barely, for the Dragons bullpen. Bowling Green had two on with two outs in the seventh, but Mayo Acosta struck out to end the inning. In the eighth they had the bases loaded before Robi Estrada and Ty Morrison both struck to end the frame. The ninth inning saw another pair of Hot Rods reach before Donnie Joseph struck out the final two batters to end the game.
Rodriguez took a no-decision for the Hot Rods, allowing three runs on eight hits in five innings of work. Mavarez (0-2) took the loss, surrendering six runs on six hits in just 1.1 innings. Yates didn’t fare much better, giving up a run of his own after relieving Mavarez in the seventh.
Offensively, Nommensen’s home run wrapped up a strong series as the outfielder had four extra base hits, including three doubles. Julio Cedeno and Ty Morrison also had a productive weekend. Morrison finished 4-11 with two RBI. Cedeno had three hits, including a pair of doubles, in the series finale.
After a sweep at the hands of the Dragons, the Hot Rods now return home for a brief three-game home stand against the Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres) beginning Tuesday night. First pitch on a KRAFT Singles Tuesday is at 6:35 PM. May 4 is also Coca-Cola Most Improved Student Night. For tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or call the Ticket Office at 270.901.2121.
Pre-game coverage begins on the radio at 6:20 PM with Tom Gauthier and Hank Fuerst on 1340 WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.
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