Hot Rods pitcher J.D. Busfield throws during Wednesday’s game against Burlington at Bowling Green Ballpark.

The Bowling Green Hot Rods were unable to continue their home success, falling 4-1 to Burlington (Iowa) on Wednesday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

After a 7-0 record on its previous homestand, Bowling Green (46-47 overall, 15-11 second half) was held to six hits and dropped the opener of the three-game series.

The Hot Rods have scored one run over the last two games, and have scored three runs or less in five of the last seven games.

“It’s late in the season now,” BG manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “The bats start to feel a little heavier now, especially for these kids. It’s their first time in a full season. I think we are just going to try to manage the workload better so they can have more energy.”

Bowling Green’s only run came in the fourth on an RBI single from Jesus Sanchez that countered a solo home run from Artemis Kadkhodian in the second inning.

It remained tied until the eighth when Stephen Kerr’s two-run single off reliever Joe Serrapica gave the Bees the lead for good. Burlington (43-52, 12-14) added a solo homer from Jamai Jones in the ninth.

“It was a good game until the eighth,” Ruiz said. “We gave up those two runs and, the way that we swung the bats, it was a lot. We couldn’t come back, but we are going to come back tomorrow and try to get on track.”

Josh Lowe and Mike Brosseau finished with two hits each, while Garrett Whitley scored the lone run.

Solid start

Bowling Green starting pitcher J.D. Busfield didn’t figure in the decision Wednesday, but he continued to make strides in his second start since coming off the disabled list July 12.

The right-hander allowed one run, the Kadkhodian homer, and seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks over six innings. Wednesday’s performance followed his July 12 start at Kane County, where he allowed two runs in five innings. Busfield had allowed four earned runs or more in four straight starts before going on the disabled list on July 1.

“He did a great job,” Ruiz said. “He gave us six good innings. He just gave up that one home run. It was a really good outing for him. It seems like the last couple of outings he is bouncing back.”

Up next

The series continues at 6:35 p.m. Thursday.

Right-hander Angel Yepez (1-0, 2.08) is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods. Yepez earned his first win since 2015 in his last start, his second back from an injury that limited him to 7 2/3 innings in 2016, allowing one earned run and four hits in five innings.

Left-hander Nate Bertness (3-8, 5.65) is scheduled to start for the Bees. Bertness is 0-4 in his last six starts and has a 6.23 ERA in his last five starts. His last win came against Wisconsin on June 13.