Hernandez Hits Two Homers, Ties Franchise Record in Win

Bowling Green, Kentucky– Heriberto Hernandez hit two home runs, tying the Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-22, 72-46) single-season franchise record en route to a 7-2 victory over the Rome Braves (33-19, 69-49) at Bowling Green Ballpark on Sunday. The Hot Rods have a league-wide day off on Monday before the final road series of the season in Asheville.

A sacrifice fly brought in the first run for Rome, giving them a 1-0 lead in the first. Bowling Green came right back in the home half, with a one out walk to Johan Lopez from Jose Montilla. Hernandez hit a hard ground ball through the legs of Braves third-baseman Beau Philip that rolled into left. Hernandez made it to second and Lopez scored from first to tie the game at one. Dillon Paulson smacked a double off the centerfield wall that scored Hernandez and gave the Hot Rods a 2-1 lead.

Hernandez extended the lead to 4-1 with a two-run blast in the third, his 22nd of the year. The homer tied him for the second-most long balls in a single season for a Hot Rods hitter. In the fourth, Mason Auer cleared the bases on a two-RBI triple that extended BG’s lead to 6-1.

Hernandez hit his second homer of the game against Braves reliever Jake McSteen to lead off the fifth and bring the lead to 7-1. That home run tied Hernandez with 2021 Hot Rods outfielder Jordan Qsar for the franchise record with 23 home runs in a single season. Rome mustered three more runs, but the Hot Rods held on for a 7-4 win in the series finale.

Nathan Wiles went 4.0 innings with one run allowed on three hits and two walks in a no-decision. Conor Dryer (5-1) earned the win in 2.0 innings with two hits, one run allowed, and four strikeouts. Antonio Menendez threw 2.0 innings with one run on two hits, a walk, and four strikeouts. Nomar Rojas allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout in the final inning.

Notes: Hernandez’s two home runs give him his second multi-homer game of the year… It is the eighth of the season for Bowling Green… Hernandez now has a share of BG’s single-season home run record with 23… Jordan Qsar set the record last year… Auer’s triple was his second of the season with Bowling Green… He has 11 total on the year… He’s tied for the Minor League Baseball lead in triples… Dryer struck out four Braves hitters for the second time this week… Leon tied his season-high with two walks… Bowling Green has a day off on Monday, and will travel to Asheville to begin their final road series of 2022 against the Tourists…First pitch is set for 5:35 PM CT on Tuesday… Fans can listen to the game on Talk 104.1 FM and 930 AM WKCT and listen via the MiLB First Pitch app on Android and IOS, or go to the Hot Rods website at www.bghotrods.com... Fans can get their tickets for upcoming Hot Rods home games by calling 270-901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office, or visiting www.bghotrods.com.

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Hot Rods Baseball