Bowling Green Hot Rods designated hitter Tre’ Morgan (25) bats in the Hot Rods’ 3-2 win over the Emperors at the Bowling Green Ballpark on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Grace Ramey McDowell/grace.ramey@bgdailynews.com)

Tre’ Morgan blasted his sixth homer of the season, and Brody Hopkins and Ty Johnson shut down the opposition as the Bowling Green Hot Rods beat the Asheville Tourists 7-1 on Friday at McCormick Field in Asheville, North Carolina.

Bowling Green (61-43 overall, 25-13 second half) started the scoring in the top of the fourth inning against Asheville starter Jackson Nezuh. Morgan led off with a double and later came home to score on an RBI single by Noah Myers. Myers stole second base and was driven in on a Ryan Spikes single, making it a 2-0 Hot Rods lead.

The Tourists (44-59, 16-23) responded with one run against Hopkins in the bottom of the fourth. Luis Baez led off with a solo homer to right, cutting into Bowling Green’s lead to 2-1.

Two more runs crossed home plate for the Hot Rods in the top of the fifth against Nezuh. Bryan Broecker led off with a walk and scored on a Homer Bush Jr. double. Morgan continued the scoring with an RBI single, plating Bush Jr., giving Bowling Green a 4-1 lead.

The Hot Rods added onto their lead in the top of the seventh inning against Tourists reliever Edinson Batista. Gregory Barrios reached on an infield single, Bush Jr. reached on a throwing error by Batista and Morgan homered to right, making it a 7-1 Bowling Green lead.

Johnson held the Tourists scoreless the rest of the way, locking up the victory. 

Hopkins (1-1) earned the win, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits while walking one and striking out five batters. Nezuh (0-2) was given the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings while striking out four and walking two. Johnson earned the save over 3 2/3 perfect frames of relief with six strikeouts.

The Hot Rods and Tourists will play the penultimate game of the series on Saturday with a 5:35 p.m. CT first pitch at McCormick Field. Bowling Green will send out right-hander Yoniel Curet (5-7, 3.45) against Asheville righty Nic Swanson (0-1, 2.03).