Taylor Perfect at the Plate, Hot Rods Triumph 5-2 

Bowling Green, Kentucky – Brayden Taylor was a perfect 4-for-4 with a solo homer in the Bowling Green Hot Rods (35-29) victory over the Hickory Crawdads (27-37) on Tuesday from L.P. Frans Stadium.

Bowling Green jumped ahead in the top of the first against Hickory starter D.J. McCarty. Taylor launched a first pitch leadoff home run, giving the Hot Rods a 1-0 lead.

The Hot Rods added three runs in the top half of the third, still facing McCarty. Gionti Turner singled to lead off the inning and came across to score on a Taylor double. Taylor was plated on a two-run blast by Cooper Kinney, moving the score, 4-0.

Hickory responded in the bottom of the fourth against Hot Rods starter Owen Wild. Sebastian Walcott singled and moved to third on a Luis Mieses double to right. Quincy Scott grounded out to the pitcher, which allowed Walcott to score and cut into the Bowling Green lead, 4-1.

The Crawdads plated another run in the bottom of the seventh against Hot Rods reliever Jonny Cuevas. Anthony Gutierrez walked and stole second to put a runner in scoring position. Ian Moller doubled to center, scoring Gutierrez from second to make it 4-2 Hot Rods.

Bowling Green added insurance in the top of the ninth against Hickory reliever DJ Peters. Turner slapped a solo home run to left, increasing the Hot Rods lead, 5-2.

Hot Rods reliever Jack Hartman tossed a scoreless ninth, sealing a 5-2 victory for Bowling Green.

Wild (2-0) earned the win, letting up a run on two hits, a walk, and four strikeouts over 6.0 innings. McCarty (0-3) took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits, a walk, and seven strikeouts over 7.0 frames. Hartman (1) secured the save, letting up a hit and striking out one.

Bowling Green and Hickory play game two of a six-game series on Wednesday with first pitch set for 11:00 AM CT. The Hot Rods are scheduled to start RHP Roel Garcia (4-3, 4.98), while the Crawdads are starting RHP Ryan Lobos (3-2, 3.33).

Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.

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Hot Rods Baseball