Hot Rods third baseman Hunter Haas (2) receives high-fives from his teammates after crossing home plate for a point in the Hot Rods’ season opener 6-1 win against the Hudson Valley Renegades at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky., on Friday, April 5, 2024. (Grace Ramey/grace.ramey@bgdailynews.com)

The Bowling Green Hot Rods pitching staff tossed a shutout performance, while the offense backed them up for a 6-0 shutout win over the Greenville Drive on Friday at Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina.

Bowling Green (4-3) began the scoring in the top of the second inning against Greenville starter Luis Perales. Brock Jones started the action with a one-out double. Hunter Haas followed with a double of his own, scoring Jones to take the lead, 1-0. Blake Robertson added to their lead with an RBI single, driving in Haas to make it 2-0.

Two more runs came around to score in the top of the fourth for the Hot Rods with Perales still on the mound. Tatem Levins led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a base hit from Jones. Jhon Diaz reached on an error at first base by Eduardo Lopez, scoring Jones, increasing the Hot Rods lead to 4-0. Diaz stole second and Ryan Spikes singled to left, scoring Diaz, making it a 5-0 advantage for Bowling Green.

The Hot Rods drove in one more run in the top of the ninth against Drive reliever Cade Feeney. Haas doubled and stole third. Robertson grounded out to second, scoring Haas to make it a 6-0 lead. That would be all the offense for both teams, ending in a 6-0, shutout victory for the Hot Rods. 

Jake Christianson (1-1) picked up his first win of the season, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. Perales (0-1) took his first loss of the season, working through four innings, surrendering five runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out four.

The Hot Rods and Drive (2-5) will continue their six-game series with the penultimate game on Saturday with a 6:05 p.m. CT first pitch. Bowling Green will send out right-hander Yoniel Curet (0-0, 0.00) against Greenville righty Connelly Early (0-0, 0.00).