Hot Rods pitcher JD Busfield (34) pitches Tuesday, August 8, 2017, during a game against South Bend at Bowling Green Ballpark. (Bac Totrong/photo@bgdailynews.com)

The big hits eluded the Bowling Green Hot Rods and South Bend (Ind.) was able to avoid a four-game sweep, taking down the Hot Rods 4-1 in the series finale Tuesday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Bowling Green (59-53 overall, 28-17 second half) outhit the Cubs 11-10, but stranded 15 runners and finished 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. The loss snapped a five game win streak for the Hot Rods, who finished 5-2 on the seven-game homestand – with losses sandwiched around the five victories.

“We had our chances offensively,” BG manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “We just couldn’t execute and they did. It’s not the way we wanted to finish the homestand, but we won two series so we are pleased.”

The Hot Rods had chances to gain some momentum early, loading the bases with one out in both the second and third innings. Bowling Green had to settle for one run in those two innings, an RBI single by Adrian Rondon, setting the tone for a frustrating day offensively.

“We had two chances there where we could have taken control of the game and we couldn’t execute,” Ruiz said. “When you don’t execute, especially when you have runners in scoring position with less than two outs, you pay the price. That was the difference in the game to me.”

South Bend (58-56, 19-26) broke through in the sixth, aided by four walks. The first two loaded the bases off reliever Deivy Mendez, setting up a two-run double from Joe Martarano.

Greg Maisto relieved and walked the next two batters to force in a run and make the score 3-1. The Cubs added an unearned run in the seventh and the Hot Rods were unable to rally.

“We didn’t pitch well in that inning,” Ruiz said. “In a 1-0 game, when you walk four guys in the same inning it is tough to keep the lead. We walked nine guys total and finished 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. When you don’t execute either of those you are going to end up losing games.”

Rondon paced the offense with three hits. Robbie Tenerowicz and Jim Haley had two hits each for the Hot Rods.

Mendez took the loss, dropping to 2-5 on the season.

Newest Hot Rod

Luis Rengifo made his BG debut after being acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on Sunday and made an impact in the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base.

Rengifo joined the Hot Rods after playing 102 games with Clinton (Iowa), the Mariners’ Class A affiliate in the Midwest League. He faced the Hot Rods in three games last month, going 6-for-11 with a homer, two doubles and a triple.

Scary Moment

Hot Rods starting pitcher J.D. Busfield had to exit the game after taking a line drive off his right arm during the fourth inning.

Busfield was down for a few minutes, but was able to get up and leave the field under his own power.

“He was pitching really well, but when he got hit in the throwing arm we decided to take him out,” Ruiz said. “He was hit pretty good and it hurt us. It hurt us because we had to use the bullpen too early and ended up losing the game.”

Up Next

The Hot Rods will take Wednesday off before opening a four-game series at Fort Wayne (Ind.) at 6 p.m. CDT on Thursday.

Left-hander Kenny Rosenberg (5-6, 4.19) is scheduled to start for Bowling Green. Rosenberg is 3-0 in his last five starts, allowing four earned runs in 25 innings of work. He allowed one unearned run and three hits in a win against Lansing (Mich.) in his last start on Aug. 3.

Right-hander Reggie Lawson (3-5, 6.00) is scheduled to start for Fort Wayne. Lawson had allowed nine earned runs in his last two starts, spanning 5 2/3 innings. He has yet to face the Hot Rods this season.