LANSING, Mich. - For the second time in 2018, the Bowling Green Hot Rods (29-19, 76-41) ended a long Lansing Lugnuts (27-21, 70-48) winning streak, defeating the Lugnuts, 8-6, in front of 8,023 on Saturday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.On May 18th, the Hot Rods had snapped the Lugnuts' season-high
LANSING, Mich. - For the second time in 2018, the Bowling Green Hot Rods (29-19, 76-41) ended a long Lansing Lugnuts (27-21, 70-48) winning streak, defeating the Lugnuts, 8-6, in front of 8,023 on Saturday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
On May 18th, the Hot Rods had snapped the Lugnuts' season-high nine-game winning streak. On this night, the Tampa Bay Rays' affiliate broke up the Nuts' six-game winning streak in an intense playoff-esque atmosphere.
Reggie Pruitt blasted a three-run homer and dashed home from third on a wild pitch, helping the Nuts erase an early 5-0 deficit with five unanswered runs from the third through the fifth innings.
In the top of the sixth, however, Jim Haley's RBI triple off Matt Shannon (Loss, 3-3) broke the tie. Devin Davis followed with a fielder's choice to first, bringing in Haley for a 7-5 lead.
In the eighth, Norberto Obeso tripled and scored on a Ryan Gold sacrifice fly, bringing the Lugnuts within one run.
That set the stage for a controversial ninth inning. With Brayden Bouchey on the mound, runners at first and third and one out, Alexander Alvarez attempted to push a squeeze bunt up the first-base line. First baseman Ryan Noda charged and fielded the ball before colliding with Alvarez while trying to throw to the plate. Home-plate umpire Jake Bruner did not charge Alvarez with interference, ruling instead that the ball remained live. Zach Rutherford scored from third, giving the Hot Rods the 8-6 lead. Lugnuts manager Cesar Martin argued the ruling and was ejected for the second time this season.
In the bottom of the ninth, Chavez Young was ejected by bases umpire Jen Pawol for disputing a check-swing strike three, with acting manager / hitting coach Matt Young also subsequently ejected.
Hot Rods starter Paul Campbell (Win, 3-0) pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and five runs (four earned), walking three and striking out three. Simon Rosenblum-Larson (Save, 2) pitched the eighth and the ninth innings, striking out three.
Lansing right-hander Graham Spraker allowed five hits, five walks and five runs (four earned) in five innings in a no-decision.
Pruitt, Obeso, Vinny Capra and Jesus Navarro each collected two hits in the loss. Second baseman Samad Taylor went 0-for-4 to end his on-base streak at 20 games.
Sunday will feature special 11 a.m. gates and a 12:00 noon Helicopter Drop on a Delta Dental Kids Day. First pitch is 1:05 p.m. between Lansing right-hander Kyle Weatherly (3.39 ERA) and Bowling Green right-hander J.D. Busfield (3.12). To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
# # #
