Brooklyn Cyclones outfielder Nick Morabito (22) slides safely into third base ahead of the ball with Bowling Green Hot Rods infielder Brayden Taylor (20) on the bag at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky., on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The Hot Rods win the series opener, 14-5. (Daily News photo by Joe Imel/joe.imel@bgdailynews.com)

The early offense for the Bowling Green Hot Rods wasn’t enough to keep them ahead, dropping the penultimate game of the series, 7-5 to the Winston-Salem Dash on Saturday at Truist Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Bowling Green (23-21) scored first in the top of the first inning against Winston-Salem starter Jose Ramirez. Brayden Taylor tripled to lead off the game and Tre’ Morgan grounded out to third, driving in Taylor for a 1-0 lead.

The Hot Rods continued the momentum against Ramirez in the top of the second. Tatem Levins walked, followed by a Brock Jones two-run blast to right. Ryan Spikes walked and stole second, Xavier Isaac tripled to right, scoring Spikes and giving Bowling Green a 4-0 lead.

Winston-Salem (22-22) answered in the bottom of the second against Hot Rods starter Owen Wild. Wes Kath was hit by a pitch, Samuel Zavala doubled scoring Kath, and Jordan Sprinkle singled scoring Zavala, cutting the Hot Rods’ lead in half, 4-2.

The Dash scored again in the bottom of the third with Wild still on the mound. Bryce Wilits doubled and Colby Smelley singled to center, scoring Wilits to make it a 4-3 Hot Rods lead.

Winston-Salem scored again in the bottom of the fourth against Wild. Mario Camilletti homered to right, helping the Dash tie the game at 4-4.

Bowling Green quickly answered in the top half of the fifth against Dash reliever Manuel Veloz. Ledbetter walked and stole second before Brock Jones grounded out, advancing Ledbetter to third. Ricardo Genoves singled off the glove of third baseman Wes Kath, scoring Ledbetter and allowing Bowling Green to regain the lead, 5-4.

Sandy Gaston entered out of the bullpen in the top of the fifth. Calvin Harris tripled to lead off the inning, followed by three straight walks, scoring Harris from third. Nate Dahle was called out of the bullpen and walked Camilletti, giving Winston-Salem a 6-5 lead.

The Dash increased their lead in the bottom of the sixth with Dahle still on the mound. Harris doubled, followed by a double from Colby Smelley, scoring Harris and putting the Dash ahead 7-5. The insurance would be enough as the Dash held off the Hot Rods 7-5 taking game five of six.

Dash reliever Manuel Veloz (5-0) picked up his fifth win on the year, working through three innings and allowing one run on three hits while walking two. Sandy Gaston (0-2) received his second loss of the year after failing to record an out in the fifth inning while surrendering two runs. Dash reliever Jared Kelley earned his third save of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

The series finale between the Dash and Hot Rods is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at Truist Stadium. Right-hander Roel Garcia lll (3-1, 4.21) gets the nod for Bowling Green, while Winston-Salem was slated to start righty Riley Gowens (2-1, 3.76).