The Bowling Green Hot Rods used one big inning to race past the Fort Wayne (Ind.) TinCaps 6-1 on Friday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Bowling Green (6-3) used a five-run third inning to take control and secure the first three-game win streak of the season and improve to 4-1 on the current six-game homestand.

“It was fun to watch again,” BG manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “They did a really good job. The pitching was there and (the third inning) we scored five runs. It was enough for us to get us the win.”

Bowling Green took a 1-0 lead in the second when Adrian Rondon stole home on the back end of a delayed double steal, but Fort Wayne (2-7) tied it with an RBI single by Fernando Tatis Jr. in the top of the third.

The Hot Rods took command in the bottom of the inning, sending eight men to the plate. Mike Brosseau and Adrian Rondon had RBI singles, while Josh Lowe capped the inning with a two-run single.

The pitching took over from there, with no one able to score the rest of the way.

Porter Clayton tossed 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win.

Lowe and Rondon paced the offense with two hits each.

“We had a couple chances late in the game, but we couldn’t capitalize,” Ruiz said. “It was enough for us. It is good to see Josh Lowe swing the bat better. He’s coming around, having better at-bats and that is good to see.”

Outta here

One out from a potential win, BG starting pitcher Peter Bayer was ejected by home plate umpire Jhonatan Biaretta for a foreign substance.

Biaretta came out to talk to Bayer after he struck out Jack Suwinski and asked to see the ball. After a brief conversation, he ejected the right-hander.

Ruiz said a combination of sunscreen, rosin and sweat resulted in the sticky substance that caused the ejection.

“It was a situation that got out of control,” Ruiz said. “There was nothing we could do about it. The umpire thought that he was using sticky spray. It was unfortunate because he was one out away from getting the win, but those things happen. Hopefully it doesn’t affect him later on.”

Strong pitching

The Hot Rods pitching staff continued its hot start with another solid outing on Friday.

Bowling Green has allowed four runs or less in all nine games, and has allowed three runs or less in five of the last six games. The Hot Rods have allowed nine runs total the first five games of the current homestand.

“They’ve done a really good job,” Ruiz said. “They have been pounding the strike zone and hitting both sides of the plate. It is fun to watch, especially when you have catchers like Rene Pinto and Jonah Heim. Those two guys have an idea how to call a game. It’s very good for us and for the pitching staff.”

Up next

The Hot Rods conclude a six-game homestand at 2:05 p.m. Saturday, ending a stretch of seven games in 10 days against Fort Wayne.

Left-hander Travis Ott (0-0, 1.59 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods, facing Fort Wayne for the second time in six days. Ott went 5 2/3 innings allowing one run and five hits in that start Sunday.

Left-hander Jerry Keel (0-0, 1.42 ERA) also started Sunday, allowing one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Hot Rods.{&end}