The Bowling Green Hot Rods opened the homestand on a winning note with a 5-2 victory over Dayton (Ohio) on Tuesday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Willy Ortiz took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Jesus Sanchez and Robbie Tenerowicz homered as Bowling Green (37-43 overall, 6-7 second half) won its third straight. It’s the first time the Hot Rods have won three straight since a four-game win streak from May 29-June 1.

“It’s good to see the guys playing with energy and winning games and having fun,” BG manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “That is what we have been doing the past three games. The pitching has been really good and hopefully we can continue to pitch the same way.”

Sanchez connected for a solo shot in the fourth, his 10th of the season, to temporarily tie Tenerowicz for the team lead. Tenerowicz regained sole possession two innings later with his 11th homer of the season, a two-run shot that stretched the margin to 3-0.

Sanchez and Josh Lowe added two-run singles to make the score 5-0 in the eighth, with Dayton (47-36, 6-7) making it close in the ninth.

The Dragons got two runs off reliever Reimin Ramos and loaded the bases before Ramos got Michael Beltre to hit a comebacker to shut the door and record his third save of the season.

Ortiz improved to 3-0, winning his second straight start. The right-hander didn’t allow a hit until two outs in the sixth and finished with seven shutout innings – allowing three hits, with five strikeouts and three walks.

“Willy did a great job tonight,” Ruiz said. “Last night (Adrian) Navas did a great job and (Chris) Pike did a great job the night before. That is the key – when your starter can go seven innings and give you a chance. With the kind of an offense we have, we have a chance.”

Lowe, Sanchez and Tenerowicz paced the offense with two hits each.

“It’s always good to start (the homestand) with a win,” Tenerowicz said. “Willy looked good. I think he is getting used to this level and how to throw strikes. I was with him last year (in Princeton) and he was like 8-0. I know he can do it every time.”

Packed House

The holiday game led to a sellout crowd, with 6,028 in attendance Tuesday. It was the second largest crowd of the season for the Hot Rods, who drew 6,327 on April 26, also against Dayton.

“It was fun to play with a big crowd, especially here at home,” Ruiz said. “We like that kind of environment and I think we did the right thing, which is win.”

Tenerowicz said there was a little extra energy in the park with the large crowd.

“We get the good crowds on the weekend, but that was fun,” Tenerowicz said. “There were a lot of people there and my mom was in the stands too, so I am glad to hit a home run while she was here.”

Easy as 1-2-3?

The Hot Rods were retired in order in the first inning despite a walk, single and double in the inning.

Garrett Whitley walked and Josh Lowe reached on an infield single, but both were thrown out trying to steal second.

Tenerowicz doubled with two outs and went to third on an errant pickoff throw. When Dayton center fielder Jose Siri bobbled the ball, Tenerowicz tried to score but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

“I think we were anxious and I think base running-wise we were too aggressive,” Ruiz said. “We paid the price … (but) I’d rather see a guy aggressive than a guy passive.”

Up Next

The series continues at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday with a matchup of left-handers.

Greg Maisto (0-0, 9.00) is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods. Maisto allowed three earned runs and five hits in three innings of work in his Bowling Green debut June 29.

Scott Moss (10-3, 2.93) is scheduled to start for the Dragons. Moss threw six no-hit innings against the Hot Rods on May 20, combining for a no-hitter with two relievers.{&end}