Bowling Green Hot Rods pitcher Duncan Davitt (33) delivers a pitch Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky. (Daily News Photo by Joe Imel/joe.imel@bgdailynews.com)

Duncan Davitt tied his career-high with seven innings, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods were held to five hits in a 1-0 shutout loss to the Rome Emperors on Friday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Rome (33-26) broke the scoreless tie in the top of the seventh facing Davitt. Jace Grady singled and stole second to put a runner in scoring position. E.J. Exposito notched a base hit to score Grady from second and make it 1-0.

In the bottom of the ninth, Colton Ledbetter singled and Tatem Levins walked against Rome reliever Jared Johnson, but Bowling Green (33-28) still went scoreless to lose, 1-0.

Rome starter Lucas Braun (4-1) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out 12. Davitt (5-4) received the loss after surrendering one run, six hits and six strikeouts over seven frames. Jared Johnson earned the save after tossing a scoreless inning, giving up one hit, a walk and striking out one.

Bowling Green and Rome play the penultimate of a six-game set Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.. Right-hander Trevor Martin (4-2, 5.01) gets the start for Bowling Green, while Rome sends out righty Jhancarlos Lara (0-1, 4.82).