Hunter Haas clobbered two solo home runs and the Bowling Green Hot Rods pitching staff struck out 11 in a 7-3 loss to the Rome Emperors on Wednesday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Rome (2-3) started the scoring in the top of the second inning against Bowling Green starter Chandler Murphy. Justin Janas and Joe Olsavsky led off the inning with singles, and Harry Owen was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Stephen Paolini drove in Janas with an RBI fielder’s choice, giving the Emperors the lead, 1-0.

In the bottom of the second, Haas tallied a solo shot to left to even the game, 1-1.

Haas put the Hot Rods (3-2) ahead 2-1 with another solo blast to left in bottom of the fourth.

Rome rallied in the top of the fifth by scoring six runs, highlighted by a Titus Dumitru two-run double, going ahead 7-2.

The Hot Rods plated another in the bottom of the sixth against Emperors reliever Cory Wall. Noah Myers led off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Tony Santa Maria brought him in to score with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing it to 7-3 game.

Bowling Green was held scoreless the rest of the way.

Murphy (0-1) took the loss, allowing six earned runs across 4 1/3 frames, walking two and striking out three. Samuel Strickland (2-0) tossed 1 2/3 perfect innings to earn his second win of the season.

The Hot Rods are back in action at home against the Emperors on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. Bowling Green will send out right-hander Marcus Johnson (0-1, 9.00) against Rome righty JR Ritchie (0-0, 4.50).