Bowling Green Hot Rods right fielder Brock Jones (7) gets a high-five from pitcher Yoniel Curet (30) after he scored the first point of the game in the fifth inning of the Hot Rods’ 3-2 loss to the Hickory Crawdads at the Bowling Green Ballpark on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Grace Ramey McDowell/grace.ramey@bgdailynews.com)

Starting pitcher Yoniel Curet hurled five scoreless innings and Brock Jones drove in two runs, including via a solo homer, leading the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 5-0 win over the Rome Emperors on Sunday at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome, Georgia.

Bowling Green (57-42 overall, 21-12 second half) scored in the top of the second inning against Rome starter Luis Vargas. Colton Ledbetter led off with a single and advanced to third on a base hit from Tatem Levins. Jones brought him in to score on an fielder’s choice for a 1-0 Hot Rods lead. Ryan Cermak followed with a single, which advanced Jones to third. A double steal brought home Jones for a 2-0 BG lead.

Another run came around to score against Vargas in the top of the fourth on a Jones solo homer. They kept the momentum rolling in the top of the fifth, with a leadoff double from Gregory Barrios, a single from Tre’ Morgan and a Cooper Kinney sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.

The Hot Rods drove in another run in the top of the eighth against Emperors reliever Sam Strickland. Mac Horvath led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a Ledbetter walk. A double steal forced an errant throw from Rome catcher Adam Zebrowksi, which scored Horvath, and Bowling Green led 5-0.

The Hot Rods pitching staff held the Emperors (48-50, 12-22) scoreless the rest of the way.

Curet (5-7) earned the win. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowed two hits, walked one and struck out seven. Vargas (3-3) took the loss. He surrendered four runs on nine hits, walked two and struck out five.

The Hot Rods enjoy an off day Monday before starting a six-game series with the Tourists in Asheville, North Carolina. Bowling Green will resume a suspended game from June 30 before their regularly scheduled game Tuesday.

First pitch will be at 3:35 p.m. CT at McCormick Field in Asheville.