Bowling Green Hot Rods third baseman Kevin Padlo made an immediate impact with his new organization, helping the Hot Rods claim a 7-1 victory over the Dayton Dragons on opening night at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Padlo, acquired from the Colorado Rockies as part of the Corey Dickerson deal in January, sparked the offense with a two-run homer in the third inning as the Hot Rods scored seven straight to cruise past the Dragons.

“We swung the bats well tonight,” Padlo said. “Everybody contributed in a big way. It felt good to get this win. I felt good at the plate, so that is good.”

Dayton (0-1) scored first in the third inning, but it was all Hot Rods after that.

Padlo just missed a homer in his first at-bat, with a long drive hooking foul down the left-field line. He didn’t miss in his second at-bat, lining a two-run shot into the left field picnic area to make the score 2-1 and give Bowling Green (1-0) the lead for good.

“My second at-bat I had a good read on (Dayton starter Tanner Rainey), saw a lot of pitches,” Padlo said. “He left a slider, a hanging slider, and I put a good swing on it.”

Bowling Green added three runs in the fourth on an RBI double from Jake Cronenworth and a two-run single by David Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez struck again with an RBI single in the sixth and Peter Maris capped the scoring with a solo homer to right in the seventh.

The Hot Rods finished with 10 hits, three by Maris.

Jose Mujica earned the victory, allowing one run and three hits with four strikeouts and a walk in five innings. The right-hander threw 74 pitches, 51 for strikes.

“That was a key for us,” BG manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “He was our No. 1 starter for a reason. He did a great job today. He set the tone for the team.”

BRINGING THE HEAT

Jose Alvarado wowed the 3,506 in attendance and lit up the scoreboard with a power arm display in relief on Thursday.

The left-hander from Maricaibo, Venezuela consistently sit in the high 90s with his fastball, hitting 100 one pitch. Alvarado also showed the ability to work under pressure, escaping a two-on, no-out jam in the seventh unscathed.

Alvarado worked two scoreless innings with four strikeouts and a hit allowed.

“He throws really hard,” Ruiz said. “Even though it was a little cold for him, he’s not used to this weather, he was able to throw the fastball for strikes. It was a good outing for him.”

DAZZLING DEBUT

After missing last season with a broken fibula suffered during the NCAA Super Regionals with the University of Maryland, second baseman Brandon Lowe got his professional career off to a flying start with two hits, including a single in his first at-bat – the first BG hit of the season.

Ruiz said Lowe helped set the tone for the offense.

“That was key for the whole offense because he saw a lot of pitches,” Ruiz said. “He’s a nice kid. He has a good knowledge of the strike zone.”

HOME OPENERS

The Hot Rods improved to 6-2 on opening day and 6-2 in home openers with Thursday’s victory.

The Hot Rods have won five straight home openers and are 3-0 all-time when opening the season at home.

UP NEXT

The series concludes at 6:35 p.m. on Friday. Right-hander and Cincinnati native Cameron Varga is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods. Left-hander Jacob Constante is the scheduled starter for the Dragons.

— Follow Bowling Green Hot Rods reporter Micheal Compton on Twitter @mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.