A late rally fell short again for the Bowling Green Hot Rods, who dropped a 5-4 decision to South Bend (Ind.) in the rubber match of a three-game series Monday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

One day after erasing a three-run deficit in the seventh inning before falling in the 10th, Bowling Green nearly overcame a 5-0 deficit in the final two innings – leaving the tying run in scoring position in both the eighth and the ninth.

“The boys did a good job of battling and staying in it,” BG manager Craig Albernaz said. “We had some great at-bats the last two innings to even make it a game, so I was very proud of our guys.”

South Bend appeared to be cruising toward the series win before Bowling Green made things interesting late.

South Bend opened the game with a leadoff homer by Jose Gutierrez and added three more in the second – including a two-out, two-run single by Delvin Zinn set up by a miscue from starting pitcher Alex Valverde. The right-hander tossed a ball into the dugout between batters. Since umpires had not yet granted time it was ruled a throwing error, sending the runners up a base from first and second.

The Cubs extended the margin to 5-0 on Brandon Hughes’ sacrifice fly in the sixth, before Bowling Green tried to rally.

The Hot Rods got going in the eighth with RBI singles from Taylor Walls and Ronaldo Hernandez and an RBI double by Moises Gomez to trim the deficit to 5-3. Bowling Green had a chance to add more, loading the bases with one out, but Alexander Alvarez struck out and Emilio Gustave hit into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.

Bowling Green got one more chance in the ninth when Justin Bridgman singled to leadoff the inning and scored on an RBI double by Taylor Walls.

The comeback bid ended there with the next three hitters retired.

“We were short a bullpen arm today,” Albernaz said. “(Reliever Jhonleider) Salinas was the last guy, so it was tough to play for a tie in that situation. The last thing you need is to have a position player to come in and pitch. We were playing for the win there.”

Valverde took the loss, dropping to 5-7 on the season. Valverde allowed four runs – three earned – and six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Walls finished with three hits, while Bridgman and Alvarez added two hits each.

ROSTER MOVES

The Hot Rods announced before the game that infielder Vidal Brujan and pitcher Phoenix Sanders were promoted to High A Port Charlotte (Fla.).

Brujan hit .313 in 95 games, leading the Hot Rods with 43 stolen bases and 86 runs scored. Sanders posted a 3.02 ERA in 28 relief appearances, striking out 71 in 50 2/3 innings.

Brujan and Sanders join Eleardo Cabrera, who was promoted to Port Charlotte on Saturday.

“Brujan was a spark plug, probably the best leadoff hitter in the league,” Albernaz said. “Phoenix was one of the best relievers in the league, too. Both of those guys deserve it, but it brings new opportunity for the next guy.”

Bridgman, an infielder, and outfielder Jake Stone were added to the roster from Short Season Low A Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Both players made their Hot Rods debut Monday.

UP NEXT

The Hot Rods will have an off day before continuing the homestand against West Michigan. The opener of the three-game series is scheduled for 6:35 p.m Wednesday.

Bowling Green is 8-2 this season against West Michigan, pitching to a team ERA of 1.99. The Hot Rods have outscored West Michigan 73-23 and enter Wednesday’s game having won seven straight against the Whitecaps.

Neither team has announced a starter for Wednesday’s game.