The Bowling Green Hot Rods’ bats came alive in a big way Sunday with a 13-2 thumping of the Dayton (Ohio) Dragons at Bowling Green Ballpark.

One day after being held to five singles, Bowling Green (2-2) had two bat-around innings and set season highs for runs and hits (15). The hit parade included three homers, with BG hitters drawing 11 walks.

“It was a really good day, especially for our offense,” BG manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “We swung the bats and did a really good job being aggressive.”

Dayton (2-2) came in looking to make it three out of four against the Hot Rods, but Bowling Green took control early and cruised to the victory.

The Dragons scored first on Mariel Bautista’s sacrifice fly, but the Hot Rods answered in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer to left from Connor Hollis.

“The wind was blowing out,” Hollis said. “Any time that is happening, you just hit the ball in the air and see what happens. He was throwing me fastballs inside. I got ahead of the count and got the barrel out.”

Michael Smith pushed the lead to 3-1 with an RBI single in the second. Grant Witherspoon made the score 5-1 in the fifth with a two-run homer off the scoreboard in right field.

Bowling Green capped the scoring in the seventh with a bat-around inning – highlighted by a two-run homer from Osmy Gregerio and an RBI double by Roberto Alveraz.

The Hot Rods batted around again in the eighth, taking advantage of six Dayton walks – the final one coming when the Dragons went to position player Dylan Harris to get the final out.

“It was good to see them being patient at the plate, especially late in the game,” Ruiz said. “It’s going to help us later on (in the season).”

Five Hot Rods finished with multi-hit games. Smith had three hits and two walks, reaching base a career high five times. Hollis had two hits and scored four runs, while Witherspoon scored three times.

Caleb Sampsen earned the win, tossing a career-high five innings. The right-hander allowed one run on one hit, walking one and striking out a career high six batters.

“Caleb Sampson did a really nice job,” Ruiz said. “I think he set the tone for the whole game.

“He gave us a chance. He settled in and gave us five good innings and the offense was able to score us some runs.”

James Marinan took the loss for Dayton, allowing three runs and eight hits in four innings.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

Sunday’s starting pitchers both began their professional careers in the Los Angeles Dodgers system.

Sampson was acquired for Jamie Schultz in January. Marinan was part of a multi-player deal with the Cincinnati Reds on July 4.

NOTES

Sunday’s win was Ruiz’s 300th as Hot Rods manager. … Bowling Green pitchers have struck out 50 batters in four games, 28 strikeouts by the starting staff. … Bowling Green eclipsed 10 runs for the first time since Aug. 19, 2018 vs. Dayton. …The Hot Rods hit three home runs in a game for the first time since Aug. 2, 2018, at Lake County.

UP NEXT

The Hot Rods will travel to Lake County (Ohio) to open a four-game series with the Captains at 5:30 p.m. CDT Monday.

Right-hander Alan Strong is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods. Strong appeared in 15 games last season with the Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Renegades, finishing with a 2.68 ERA in 37 innings of work.

Right-hander Alex Royalty is scheduled to start for the Captains.{&end}