Hot Rods Drop Second Straight to Beloit 14-1

[Game recap provided by Hot Rods Tom Gauthier.]

Beloit, WI – Tyler Bortnick picked up two more hits and Mark Thomas extended his hitting streak to five games, but the Hot Rods didn’t get much else as they lost a 14-1 decision to the Beloit Snappers on Saturday night in Wisconsin. The loss is the team’s second straight to Beloit heading into the finale of their series on Sunday afternoon.

After Bowling Green scored first on Friday, the Snappers were the ones to score early on Saturday night, plating a run in the first inning on a pair of doubles against Wilking Rodriguez. Aaron Hicks led off the first with a double to right center, scoring two batters later on a double to left by Angel Morales to make it 1-0.

An inning later Michael Gonzales singled in front of a Daniel Santana walk to begin the second. Two batters later Reggie Williams smacked a home run to right field to put the Snappers on top 4-0.

That was all the Snappers managed against Rodriguez, who worked a season-low four inning. He allowed seven hits, including his fifth home run of the season. And, for the first time this year, he walked more than the struck out with three walks and just two K’s.

The Hot Rods managed to get a run back against starter Edgar Ibarra in the fourth. Brett Nommensen and Ryan Wiegand both walked to lead off the inning. After a passed ball, Mark Thomas just missed a home run, picking up a sacrifice fly to deep center field to drive home Nommensen and cut the deficit to 4-1.

That was all the Hot Rods could manage against Ibarra, who allowed just five hits and an unearned run over seven innings. He struck out a career-high ten with just two walks.

Beloit pulled away from the Hot Rods with a six-run sixth against Jake Sullivan, five of the tallies coming as earned runs. They added four more in the seventh against Deivis Mavarez. Infielder Diogenes Luis came on and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, the only perfect frame of the night for the Hot Rods, to close down the Snappers offense.

The series comes to an end on Sunday afternoon at Pohlman Field. RHP Kirby Yates (1-2, 1.97) takes the ball as the Hot Rods try to avoid the sweep against RHP Michael Tonkin (0-4, 2.65). First pitch is at 4 PM CDT. You can follow the game with Tom Gauthier beginning at 3:45 PM on 1340 AM WBGN and www.bghotrods.com.

The Hot Rods return home for their final three-game home stand in the first half of the season from June 18-20 against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers). Friday, June 18, is Axle’s Birthday and Mascot Mania with post-game fireworks presented by Atmos Energy. On Saturday the first 1,000 fans 13 & up will receive a Fans Choice Tee courtesy of First Choice Home Medical. Sunday is Father’s Day and kids can run the bases and play catch on the field with dad after the game. To order tickets, visit www.bghotrods.com or call the Hot Rods Ticket Office at 270.901.2121.