The Bowling Green Hot Rods took advantage of extra opportunities in Thursday’s series-opening 8-4 win over Lansing (Mich.) at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Bowling Green (4-4) took advantage of three Lansing errors, scoring five unearned runs, and got a solid start from right-hander Cameron Varga to improve to 3-0 at home and snap a three-game skid. 

“It was good that we could bounce back after that bad series that we had against South Bend,” BG manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “We took advantage of their mistakes and scored eight runs. That was enough to win the game.”

The Hot Rods got an unearned run on an error by shortstop J.C. Cardenas in the bottom of the fourth, but Lansing (3-2) was able to tie it 1-1 on a solo homer in the sixth inning.

Cardenas’ third error of the night extended the inning in the bottom of the sixth, setting the stage for Jacob Cronenworth’s three-run double just out of reach of left fielder Connor Panas.

Brett Sullivan added a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to push the lead to 6-1. The Lugnuts got a run in the eighth, but another error set up a two-run single from Joe McCarthy that made the score 8-2.

Lansing got two runs in the ninth, but was unable to get any closer.

Cronenworth had two hits to stretch his hit streak to seven games and open the season hitting .483. 

Michael Russell also added two hits, while Manny Sanchez and Angel Moreno scored two runs each.

VARGA LOCKED IN

With family in attendance, Varga was nearly flawless in six strong innings on Thursday.

The Cincinnati native struck out a career-high 10 batters and allowed four hits. 

“My grandpa texted me right before the game and told me he was coming in,” Varga said. “That was really cool that he got to be there and see it. Everything felt really good tonight. I felt like all my pitches were working. I’m just excited to get the win and build on it from here.”

The home run from Thomas was the only blemish, but the Hot Rods were able to score three in the bottom of the inning to put the right-hander in line for the win.

“I was really excited to see that,” Varga said. “That was big for us. We’d lost a few games in a row. To come back, get the win and change it up a little bit felt good for us.”

Varga is now 2-0 on the season, allowing 10 hits and striking out 14 in 11 2/3 innings.

“He set the tone for the whole game,” Ruiz said. “Even though he gave up that home run, he gave us six good innings. Cameron did a great job. That is all we ask from our starter.”

JUST A SWINGING

The bullpen followed Varga’s lead with eight more strikeouts, to finish with 18. 

Ian Gibaut struck out five in two innings of relief, while Roel Ramirez had three strikeouts in an inning of work.

It was the most strikeouts for Bowling Green’s staff since striking out 19 in a 4-3 loss to Beloit (Wisc.) last June.

“They did a good job, even though we gave up a few runs late in the game,” Ruiz said. “Our bullpen was really good today.”

UP NEXT

The series continues at 6:35 p.m. on Friday. Left-hander Michael Velasquez (0-1, 12.00 ERA) will look to bounce back after a rough season debut for the Hot Rods. Right-hander Francisco Rios (0-0, 3.00) will start for Lansing.

— Follow Bowling Green Hot Rods reporter Micheal Compton on Twitter @mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.