The Bowling Green Hot Rods opened the 2018 season with back-to-back wins over the Dayton Dragons Thursday and Friday night. Thursday’sOpening Day win came on a walk-off single from DH Ronaldo Hernandez, while Friday night’s win was highlighted by a pair of home runs- one each from SS Taylor Walls and DH Zac Law.
The Hot Rods are on the road this week in Dayton and South Bend, and return home on Friday night for a quick three game series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps.
Through the first two games, the Hot Rods hitters have a .290 average, scoring 13 total runs, including eight in Friday night’s win. In the two games, three different Hot Rods have homered, and it is the first time since 2011 that the team has hit home runs in each of their first two games.
Seven of the top 30 Rays’ prospects are starting the season in Bowling Green, including LHP/1B Brendan McKay. He started Opening Night at first base and walked three times, had an RBI single, and a run scored. The two-way player will make his Hot Rods pitching debut Monday night when the Hot Rods take on the South Bend Cubs.
Another Top 10 prospect, RHP Austin Franklin, earned his first win of the season on Friday night. He threw five innings, allowing two hits and a run, walking two and striking out three. 2018 is his third season in the Tampa Bay organization, and this is his first year of full-season baseball.
The Hot Rods and Dragons are the only two teams that completed both games on Thursday and Friday. All but two games in the Midwest League were wiped out on Friday, and one of the two games which started (Fort Wayne at Lake County) was suspended due to the weather. There are two teams in the league- Clinton and Kane County – who as of press time have not yet played at all this season.
Coming up at Bowling Green Ballpark...
The Hot Rods return home Friday night for a quick three game series against the TinCaps. Friday and Saturday, first pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm, while Sunday’s game is slated for a 2:05pm start.
Friday night at the park will be Fright Night, a celebration of being halfway to Halloween. There will also be post-game fireworks.
Saturday night is Hall of Fame Night, complete with a dual bobble head giveaway of former Hot Rods Matt Moore and Kevin Kiermaier. Those two were officially named to the Hot Rods Hall of Fame last week after a fan, media, and ownership vote. It was a very competitive race, with Moore being named on every ballot, and Kiermaier following closely behind.
Sunday’s game is Kids Eat Free day, where the first 500 kids ages 12 and under (with a paid adult ticket) receive a free hot dog, chips, and drink voucher. That day will also be the first Youth Sports Day, sponsored by Saladworks.
Tickets for all Hot Rods games start at just $8. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please visit bghotrods.com or call 270-901-2121.