A three-run seventh inning led the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 5-2, series-opening win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Friday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.
Bowling Green — which had lost three straight entering the night — trailed 2-0 before scoring two runs in the bottom of the third inning and three more in the seventh to build a lead and didn’t look back.
The Hot Rods (4-5) finished with five hits, while Osmy Gregorio led the way with a 2-for-4, 2 RBI showing and Kaleo Johnson went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI. Defensively, LHP Michael Plassmeyer started for Bowling Green — allowing two runs on four hits with 4 strikeouts in five innings — while RHP Justin Marsden tossed three scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
LHP Cristofer Ogando pitched the ninth for the Hot Rods and recorded a pair of Ks to put Fort Wayne away.
BG and Fort Wayne (6-3) will meet Saturday at 6:35 p.m. for the second game of the three-game set. The Hot Rods’ probable starting pitcher is RHP Caleb Sampen (1-0, 1.80), while the TinCaps are expected to place RHP Gabe Mosser (0-0, 1.29) on the bump.