Dayton, OH- Shane McClanahan struck out nine over five scoreless innings in the Bowling Green Hot Rods' 3-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field. The Hot Rods are 1-0 and will face the Dragons in the second game of the series on Friday with
Dayton, OH- Shane McClanahan struck out nine over five scoreless innings in the Bowling Green Hot Rods' 3-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field. The Hot Rods are 1-0 and will face the Dragons in the second game of the series on Friday with a 6:08 PM (CDT) first pitch in Dayton to wrap up the road-leg of the four-game set.
The Hot Rods took an early lead, picking up a run in the first inning against Dragons starter Jared Soloman. Wander Franco worked a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Chris Betts flew out to right, allowing Franco to move to third and scored when Kaleo Johnson singled up-the-middle to give the Hot Rods a 1-0 lead.
The lone run was the only support McClanahan needed through his five-dominant innings in the fifth start of his career. The 21-year-old struck out nine Dragons including the final two he faced in the fifth after allowing his third, and final, hit of the game.
The Dragons nearly tied the game in the eighth against Hot Rods reliever Christofer Ogando. Juan Martinez singled and went to second when Reniel Ozuna walked on four-straight pitches. With one out, Mariel Bautista singled to center with Martinez scoring to make it a 3-1 game, while Ozuna moved to second. Both runners advanced a base when Michael Siani grounded out for the second out of the frame. Pabel Manzanero singled to center field, scoring Ozuna and bringing Bautista around from second but Hot Rods center fielder Michael Smith threw Bautista out at home to save the tying run and end the inning with a 3-2 Bowling Green lead.
Ogando took the hill again in the ninth and retired the Dragons in order to end the game.
McClanahan (1-0) earned the win in his first career decision, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing three hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. Easton McGee earned a hold over two innings of work, allowing Dayton one hit with three strikeouts. Ogando earned his first save of the season, allowing two runs on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Notes: McClanahan's nine strikeouts are a career-high… His five innings of work are also a career-high… He earned the first win of his professional career… Bowling Green is 8-3 all-time on opening day… Hot Rods Manager Reinaldo Ruiz has 299 career wins with the Hot Rods… Bowling Green is now 4-0 against Dayton in the opening game of the season… Johnson tied a career-high with three hits, a mark he's achieved four times… Johnson and Tony Pena have a hit in five consecutive games dating back to last season… Osmy Gregorio has a three-game hit streak that dates back to 2018… The Hot Rods have won as many games on the road against Dayton as they have at home (47)… Bowling Green improved their all-time record against the Dragons to 94-67… The Hot Rods and Dragons continue their series on Friday with the second and final game of the road trip… First pitch will be at 6:08 PM CDT… The Hot Rods will send RH Joe Ryan to the mound against Dragons LH Jacob Heatherly… Fans can catch all the action with Shawn Murnin on Willie 107.9 FM, as well as, with their smart phones via the MiLB First Pitch app and TuneIn Radio app.
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