The Bowling Green Hot Rods made quick work of the Quad Cities (Iowa) River Bandits with a 2-0 home victory Monday.

Right-hander Ethan Clark and two relievers combined to hold Quad Cities to two hits, picking up the team’s fourth shutout of the season and opening a six-game homestand with a win that took two hours and 20 minutes – the shortest nine-inning game of the season.

“It was a great win, especially after a long ride back from Beloit,” Hot Rods manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “We get in very late and we kind of had a show and go today. It worked out really well. The pitching was really good … and also timely hitting. That was fun to watch.”

Clark was sharp in his first start since April 28, when he allowed five runs in three innings against Lansing (Mich.).

The right-hander retired the first seven batters he faced before a walk in the third. He allowed his first and only hit in the fourth and finished his outing by retiring the final four batters he faced.

Clark worked five innings, improving to 1-0 on the season, striking out a season-high five batters.

Clark, who worked two scoreless innings out of the pen at Wisconsin on May 4, said that bullpen work gave him confidence coming into Monday. He also said his stuff was better than his previous start.

“Fastball command against Lansing really wasn’t where I thought it should be,” Clark said. “That’s a team that hits the fastballs really well. Any time your fastball isn’t where it needs to be, it can go one way or another and it didn’t go the way I wanted it to.

“The two innings (of relief) definitely helped. It was almost like a bullpen (but) it’s actually against live hitters. There is a little more competitive edge to it.”

Bowling Green (14-15) got all the offense it needed in the fourth inning. Jesus Sanchez tripled with one out and scored on an RBI single by Mike Brosseau. Two batters later, Adrian Rondon delivered an RBI single to make the score 2-0.

Clark and two relievers – Deivy Mendez and Reimin Ramos – made it stand.

Mendez allowed a hit and struck out five in two innings, while Ramos tossed two hitless innings to close it out and earn his first save of the season.

Bowling Green finished with six hits, two from Rondon.

FOR STARTERS

Monday was the eighth straight game that the BG starting pitcher allowed two runs or less.

“The starting pitching has been really, really good so far,” Ruiz said. “It’s key. Hopefully we can continue that momentum. Today the bullpen showed better command of their pitches. It’s encouraging to see our starters and bullpen doing a really good job.”

Clark said the starting staff is feeding off each other right now.

“It may be unspoken, but I think when one guy sees another guy do well he either wants to do better or keep (it) going,” Clark said.

SANCHEZ STAYS HOT

With his hit and run scored Monday, Sanchez continued his offensive assault.

In his last 10 games, Sanchez has 13 hits – including four homers – plus 13 RBIs and seven runs scored.

“Jesus has been swinging the bat really well,” Ruiz said. “He is hot right now. He’s a big key in our offense and hopefully he can keep swinging the bat well.”

QUICK RISE TO THE SHOW

The latest Bowling Green alum to make the Major Leagues is one of its most recent, with lefty Jose Alvarado becoming the 28th former Hot Rod to make the majors last week.

Alvarado made his third appearance with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, tossing a scoreless inning. He was part of the Hot Rods roster this time last year.

He had a 1.46 ERA in 10 appearances, striking out 34 in 24 2/3 innings. His last appearance with Bowling Green was May 13, with Alvarado pitching for Port Charlotte (Fla.) the remainder of the season.

He made nine appearances for Double A Montgomery (Ala.) this season before his call-up to the Rays last week.

“We are happy and proud of him,” Ruiz said. “He worked hard to get there and now he is there. It’s unbelievable. Last year he was pitching for me here and now he is in the big leagues.

“He’s got the arm to stay there. Hopefully he can continue pitching well.”

UP NEXT

The series continues at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday.

Right-hander J.D. Busfield (3-0, 1.17) is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods, with right-hander Dustin Hunt (0-3, 5.65) scheduled to start for Quad Cities.