Davitt Strikes Out Five, Hot Rods Stumble in Series Opener 5-1
Greensboro, North Carolina – Duncan Davitt punched out five batters over 4.0 innings, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (26-16, 57-46) struck out 15 times in a 5-1 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (21-21, 57-49) on Tuesday at First National Bank Field. The Greensboro offense struck first in the bottom
Greensboro, North Carolina – Duncan Davitt punched out five batters over 4.0 innings, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (26-16, 57-46) struck out 15 times in a 5-1 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (21-21, 57-49) on Tuesday at First National Bank Field.
The Greensboro offense struck first in the bottom of the first inning against Davitt. Josiah Sightler blasted a solo homer to right center field, putting the Grasshoppers up 1-0. In the bottom of the third, Wyatt Hendrie singled, stole second, and came around to score on an RBI hit from Tres Gonzalez to make it 2-0.
The Grasshoppers increased the lead off Hot Rods reliever Evan Reifert in the bottom of the fifth. Hendrie singled, while Francisco Acuna and Gonzalez worked walks to load the bases. Bowling Green reliever Nate Dahle came into the game and balked, allowing Hendrie to score and make it a 3-0 game.
Jake Brannigan and Termarr Johnson launched back-to-back solo homers off Bowling Green reliever Haden Erbe in the bottom of the eighth to move the score to 5-0.
The Hot Rods notched their first run of the night in the top of the ninth against Grasshoppers reliever Cy Nielson. Brock Jones walked and Kamren James got hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Nick Schnell knocked a base hit to center, scoring Jones to cut the deficit to 5-1. Jalen Battles grounded into a double play, ending the game at 5-1.
Jake Stevenson (2-0) earned the win, letting up a walk and striking out three over 2.0 no-hit innings. Davitt (3-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits and five strikeouts over 5.0 frames.
Bowling Green and Greensboro play game two of a six-game series on Wednesday with first pitch set for 5:30 PM CT. RHP Sean Harney (1-0, 3.86) starts for the Hot Rods, while RHP Bubba Chandler (7-3, 5.11) starts for the Grasshoppers.
Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv or listening through the MiLB First Pitch App, tuning into Talk 104.1 FM and 930 AM WKCT, or visiting https://www.milb.com/bowling-green/fans/audio-listen-live.
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