The big hit eluded the Bowling Green Hot Rods, who dropped a 7-6 decision to Dayton (Ohio) on Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

On a night when Bowling Green (88-49 overall, 41-27 second half) celebrated clinching the second half Eastern Division title – locking up the division in both halves – the Hot Rods couldn’t cash in on numerous opportunities. Bowling Green outhit the Dragons 12-9, but stranded 15 runners and were 4-for-22 with runners in scoring position.

Jonathan India hit a leadoff homer to give Dayton (58-78, 27-41) the lead one batter in, but the Hot Rods would answer.

Bowling Green got a two-run single from Jake Stone and added single runs in the third and sixth to extend the lead to 4-1. The Hot Rods missed chances to add to the lead, and perhaps put the game away, stranding 12 runners through seven and going 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position.

That allowed Dayton to rally, with a three-run homer from Reshard Munroe tying the score in the seventh. A Jose Garcia double and a sacrifice fly from Andy Sugilio gave the Dragons a 6-4 lead in the eighth, but Devin Davis answered with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score again.

Dayton regained the lead on a sacrifice fly by Munroe in the top of the ninth, but Bowling Green didn’t go down without a fight. The first two hitters reached base before Dayton retired the side.

2019 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

The Hot Rods officially announced the 2019 schedule Saturday with Bowling Green opening on the road at Dayton on April 4-5. The Hot Rods’ home opener will be April 6 at 6:35 p.m. against Dayton.

Bowling Green’s longest homestand will be July 4-15, an 11-gamer that will include an off day in the middle of the 12-day stretch. The Hot Rods’ longest road stretch will be Aug. 7-23 when Bowling Green plays 13 out of 16 games away from BG Ballpark.

UP NEXT

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

Left-hander Resly Linares (7-3, 3.21) is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods. Linares is 4-0 over his last five starts, allowing four earned runs in 30 innings of work. He picked up a no-decision in his last start against Lake County (Ohio) on Monday, allowing two runs and eight hits in six innings.

Linares allowed two runs and four hits in four innings in his only appearance against Dayton on June 11.

Left-hander Packy Naughton (5-10, 4.17) is scheduled to start for Dayton. Naughton had his best month of the season in August, pitching to a 3.15 ERA in six starts spanning 34 1/3 innings.