Jones’ grand slam boosts Hot Rods to extra-innings win

Published 12:58 pm Sunday, May 16, 2021

Greg Jones hit a walk-off grand slam to boost the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 7-3 victory in 11 innings over the Asheville Tourists on Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

The Hot Rods (8-3) and Tourists (4-6) wrap up their six-game series with a 2:05 p.m. first pitch on Sunday afternoon.

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The scoring started quicker than Friday’s game, with the Hot Rods picking up a run in the first inning against Asheville starter Juan Pablo Lopez. Pedro Martinez led off with a single and ended up at third after a Jones single and Blake Hunt’s walk. Ruben Cardenas lifted a fly ball to left with one out that scored Martinez to give BG a 1-0 edge.

Asheville scored two runs to take the lead in the third off Bowling Green starter Michael Mercado, but the Hot Rods answered back immediately. Martinez led off the third with a walk and two batters later Hunt connected with his first home run of the year. The shot gave Bowling Green a 3-2 advantage as part of an eight-batter inning that saw the Hot Rods load the bases but strand all three runners.

Asheville’s Scott Schreiber singled to right with Alex McKenna on base to tie the game in the sixth and it stayed that way, well into extra innings. The Hot Rods loaded the bases again in the 10th, but Tourists pitching shut down the rally.

Jordan Qsar started the 11th inning on second and, with one out, Tourist reliever Yeremi Ceballos issued intentional walks to both Jacson McGowan and Niko Hulsizer. Martinez struck out, bringing up Jones who launched a walk-off grand slam deep into the night. Jones’ second homer of the season and week ended the game, giving the Hot Rods a 7-3 win.

Mercado allowed two runs, one earned, while holding Asheville to one hit over his four innings of work with a walk and six strikeouts in a no-decision. Miller Hogan allowed a run on a hit with four strikeouts in relief. Michael Costanzo tossed 2 1/3 innings of perfect baseball out of the bullpen with four strikeouts. Ezekiel Zabaleta (2-1) picked up a win after 2 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings of work with five strikeouts.

The Hot Rods will send right-hander Tanner Dodson (0-0, 7.71) to the mound against righty Blair Henley (0-1, 10.13) on Sunday.