Bowling Green’s bats came to life just in time in a 5-1 win Thursday over West Michigan at Bowling Green Ballpark.

After scoring four runs or less in the last seven games, Bowling Green (21-11) used a four-run sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and even the three-game series with the Whitecaps.

“It’s always good to get some momentum and get the juices flowing,” said outfielder Andrew Toles, who had two hits and two RBIs. “We got some runners on and put some good swings on the ball. It worked out and we got the ribbies to take the lead. All of our pitchers are good. They battle. It’s real good to pick them up.”

After being shut out for the first time this season one night earlier, Bowling Green wasted no time getting on the board, taking a 1-0 lead in the first.

Tommy Coyle drew a leadoff walk, stole second and eventually came home on a wild pitch, ending a 12-inning scoreless streak for the Hot Rods.

BG starting pitcher Dylan Floro made that lead stand until the sixth, when the Whitecaps got a two-out RBI single from Jeff Holm to tie the score 1-1.

It was the only blemish on the night for Floro, who went a career-high six innings. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts. Floro walked one, bouncing back from a five-walk outing in his previous start.

“His fastball was effective,” BG manager Jared Sandberg said. “He maybe didn’t have the command he would have liked, but he had just one walk. It was definitely an improvement there. He’s got good stuff.

“His name doesn’t get thrown around in the mix with (Taylor) Guerrieri, (Jeff) Ames and (Blake) Snell, but he’s got tremendous stuff and very good pitch ability. He’s doing a nice job for us so far this year.”

The offense made sure Floro earned the win with a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth.

Joey Rickard led off and reached on an error by West Michigan shortstop David Gonzalez. BG followed with four straight hits, including a two-run single by Toles and an RBI double by Luke Maile.

“I think getting the first run in the first inning helped everybody relax a bit,” Sandberg said. “It didn’t really accumulate anything until that four-run inning, but it is always nice to get on the board first – especially in the first inning.”

West Michigan (14-17) threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs. BG reliever Nick Sawyer got a groundout to end it and preserve the victory.

Maile joined Toles with a two-hit night, while Coyle had two runs scored.

Bowling Green will look to win the series when it concludes at 7:05 p.m. today. Right-hander Yorfrank Lopez (3-1, 5.01) is scheduled to start for West Michigan.

The Hot Rods starter has yet to be announced, but it will likely be right-hander Rienaldo Lopez (1-1, 0.79) who would be making his third start of the season.

Ames, Toles honored by Tampa Bay Rays

Before the game, the Hot Rods announced that Ames was named the minor league pitcher of the month for April by the Tampa Bay Rays, with Toles named as the minor league player of the month.

Ames went 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his first month with Bowling Green. He pitched 25 innings with 22 strikeouts and a 0.60 WHIP.

Toles batted .368 and topped the Midwest League with 15 extra-base hits, including nine doubles, five triples and one home run. His slugging percentage of .600 was also the best mark among all regular players within the Rays system in April.

“It’s kind of cool, but it is just one month,” Toles said. “It’s not that big of a deal. I don’t really want to think about it. I just want to keep pushing the rest of the season and see what happens.”

— Micheal Compton covers the Bowling Green Hot Rods for the Bowling Green Daily News. Follow him at twitter.com/Mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.