The Bowling Green Hot Rods dropped out of first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division on Thursday with a 7-4 loss to Great Lakes (Mich.) at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Great Lakes (55-61, 28-18 second half) broke open the game with a five-run fourth and held off a late rally attempt by BG to overtake the Hot Rods in the standings. Bowling Green (66-49, 28-19) has lost five out of six during its nine-game homestand and has dropped from the division lead for the first time since July 10.

“It was definitely disappointing, another tough loss here at home,” BG manager Jared Sandberg said. “It’s something we have to continue to fight through. We’re not going to hang our heads. We’re still in a good spot.”

The Hot Rods built a 2-0 lead, getting an RBI double from Luke Maile in the first and an RBI single from Andrew Toles in the second. Toles’ hit was his 139th of the season, equaling Drew Vettleson’s record for hits in a year set in 2012.

Bowling Green’s offense went cold following Toles’ hit, with one base runner reaching over the next four innings. Loons pitching retired 12 in a row at one point, allowing the Great Lakes offense the chance to wrestle away the momentum.

The Loons sent nine men to the plate in the fourth with six hits off BG starter Jeff Ames, highlighted by Devon Shines’ three-run homer. Brandon Dixon and Jeremy Rathjen also added RBI doubles in the inning to make it 5-2.

“They got two slow ground balls that made it through the hole and then I got a 1-1 count and left a pitch up, and he gave it a ride,” Ames said. “I elevated some pitches, and they capitalized on it.”

Great Lakes added a sacrifice fly by Brandon Trinkwon in the sixth to extend its lead to 6-2.

BG tried to rally in the eighth with a pair of runs, including an RBI single from Justin O’Conner. The Hot Rods had a chance for more, with runners at first and third with one out, but Patrick Leonard struck out.

Ryan Dunn drew a walk to load the bases with two outs to give BG one more opportunity. Brandon Martin struck out to end the comeback bid.

BG hitters struck out 14 times Thursday.

“Our two-strike approach wasn’t very good,” Sandberg said. “Those couple of chances there, you put the ball in play and maybe something happens.”

The Loons added an unearned run in the ninth, and the Hot Rods went in order in the bottom of the inning.

Ames dropped to 7-4. The right-hander has lost three straight decisions and is winless in his last five starts.

Bowling Green finished with seven hits by seven different players.

Bowling Green will wrap up the nine-game homestand when the series concludes at 7:05 p.m. today. 

Following tonight’s game, the Hot Rods will hit the road for 10 games, three each in Lake County (Ohio) and Fort Wayne (Ind.) and a four-game series at South Bend (Ind.).

“A win would be huge,” Sandberg said. “It’s not going to be any easier for us going on the road for a long stretch. Nobody is feeling sorry for us. We have to pick it up and play better.”

Left-hander Jordan Harrison (2-2, 3.38) will make the start for the Hot Rods, with left-hander Miguel Sulbaran (6-3, 3.05) scheduled to start for the Great Lakes.

— Micheal Compton covers the Hot Rods for the Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.