Horvath homer backs Johnson’s solid outing in Hot Rods’ win
Published 9:00 pm Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Bowling Green Hot Rods pitcher Marcus Johnson (24) pitches to Rome Emperors second baseman Ambioris Tavarez (20) in the Hot Rods’ 9-3 loss to the Emperors at Bowling Green Ballpark on Thursday, April 10, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Mac Horvath launched his team-leading fourth home run of the year and Marcus Johnson earned his first quality start of the season, leading the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 4-3 win over the Aberdeen IronBirds in South Atlantic League action on Saturday at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland.
Bowling Green (14-12) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning against Aberdeen starter Walter Pennington. Emilien Pitre and Horvath worked two-out walks to lead off. Ryan Spikes plated Pitre on a single, giving Bowling Green a 1-0 lead. Horvath scored on a wild pitch and Spikes stole home, increasing the lead to 3-0.
Another run came in to score for the Hot Rods in the top of the third against IronBirds pitcher Trey Gibson. With one out, Horvath blasted a solo homer to left, extending the Bowling Green advantage, 4-0.
Aberdeen (10-16) responded in the bottom of the fourth against Johnson. With two outs, Austin Overn singled and stole second base. Leandro Arias singled to left, scoring Overn, making it a 4-1 game.
The IronBirds added a run in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homer from Aneudis Mordan, bringing the score to 4-2.
The IronBirds brought in their final run in the bottom of the ninth against Hot Rods reliever Hayden Snelsire. Arias led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a groundout. Mordan drove in Arias with a single, but Snelsire locked down his first save of the season with the Hot Rods winning 4-3.
Johnson (2-2) earned his second win of the season, tossing six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. Pennington (0-1) was given the loss, working through 0.2 innings, allowing three runs on one hit with two walks. Snelsire logged his first save of the year, surrendering one run on one hit, walking one and striking out one over 1 2/3 innings.
The Hot Rods and IronBirds will play the finale of a six-game series on Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. CT first pitch. Bowling Green will send out right-hander Garrett Edwards (2-1, 3.13) against Aberdeen righty Michael Forret (0-1, 1.66).
