The Bowling Green Hot Rods’ season came to an end with a 5-2 loss to Great Lakes (Mich.) in the decisive third game of the Midwest League Playoffs opening-round series on Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Seven outs away from clinching the first series in franchise history, the Bowling Green bullpen was unable to finish it off – allowing the Loons to advance to face West Michigan in the second round of the playoffs.

“It’s tough,” BG Hot Rods manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “We wanted to keep going, but it’s part of the game. We couldn’t keep the lead, but I am very proud of my guys. They played hard all year long and we are pleased the way they played.”

For the third time in the series, Great Lakes struck first with an RBI single by Logan Landon in the first inning, but the Hot Rods were able to answer in the third when Brandon Lowe tripled after the ball was lost in the lights and Landon Cray brought him home with a two-run homer to right field to make the score 2-1.

Both teams had chances to score in the sixth. Great Lakes had runners at second and third with no outs, but BG starter Blake Bivens got two strikeouts around an intentional walk and a groundout to escape with the lead.

The Hot Rods appeared to be in position to add to the lead when Cray doubled into the gap in the bottom of the sixth, but Kevin Padlo was thrown out trying to score and it remained a one-run game.

That loomed large as the Loons rallied off reliever Elias Torres in the seventh. 

After striking out the first two batters, Saige Jenco singled off Torres. Luke Railey singled to right-center, with Jenco trying to score from first. The relay throw home beat Jenco, but David Rodriguez dropped the ball allowing the tying run to score. Omar Estevez followed with an RBI single to give the Loons a 3-2 advantage.  

“I think we had a chance to throw him out, but the grass was wet and the ball skipped and David couldn’t handle the ball,” Ruiz said. “That opened the game (for Great Lakes).”

Great Lakes got some insurance in the eighth on a two-run homer from Gage Green. The Hot Rods got the tying run to the plate in the eighth, but couldn’t score, then went in order in the ninth.

“When we saw that ball coming out of (the) bat, we knew right away that it was a home run and pretty much that we were done at that time,” Ruiz said. 

RECORD SEASON

Despite the loss, the Hot Rods had plenty of reasons to celebrate the 2016 season.

Bowling Green set franchise records in wins (84), runs scored (711), second-half wins (47) and road wins (42), as well as the first playoff win in franchise history. 

Lowe had a franchise record 18-game hit streak, while the Hot Rods twice equaled a franchise record with 11 straight wins.

“It’s a very nice season for all of us,” Ruiz said. “All the staff did a really good job and the players, they played hard all year long. We broke all those records and it feels real good. I think we accomplished a lot of things and that is part of the development. It was a really good season. It was fun to manage this team.”

TOWING THE RUBBER

Bivens made his final start of the season a memorable one, allowing one run and four hits with eight strikeouts in six innings of work.

In 17 starts for the Hot Rods this season, Bivens worked at least five innings in every start. He went at least six innings in five of his last six starts and finished the season allowing 27 earned runs in 99 innings of work.

“It was one of his best outings all year long and no better time to do it,” Ruiz said. “He gave us a chance for six innings. He did a really good job.”

UP NEXT

The Hot Rods will open the 2017 on April 6, hosting Fort Wayne (Ind.)

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