The Bowling Green Hot Rods’ offense stayed hot with a 10-0 victory Thursday over Cedar Rapids (Iowa) at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Bowling Green (16-16) used homers from Nate Lowe and Jonah Heim and seven strong innings from Travis Ott to take the series opener with the Kernels and get back to .500 for the first time since April 27.

The Hot Rods finished with 11 hits, scoring at least 10 runs in back-to-back games for the first time since scoring 14 runs and 13 runs June 16-17, 2016, at Fort Wayne (Ind.)

“Twenty runs in two games is always good,” Bowling Green manager Reinaldo Ruiz said. “The guys are starting to feel more comfortable at the plate and the result is the last two games we’ve been swinging the bats really well.”

After three scoreless innings, the Hot Rods broke through with two runs in the fourth – including an RBI single from Rene Pinto.

Lowe doubled the score in the fifth with a two-run homer to right, his second home run of the season.

The Hot Rods broke it open with five in the sixth – including the first professional grand slam for Heim.

“I had been frustrated with how the day had been going,” Heim said. “I just wanted to do something to help my team score some runs. I got a first-pitch fastball and I fouled it off. I was right out on it. I was seeing the ball really well that at-bat, so I kept battling until I got the one I wanted. I didn’t miss it and it was a good feeling.

“That’s something different. You don’t experience that a lot. The first anything professionally is really nice. A grand slam, you can’t beat that.”

Lowe, Miles Mastrobuoni and Mike Brosseau finished with two hits each for the Hot Rods, while Pinto had two RBIs.

Travis Ott worked a career-best seven innings to earn the win, improving to 3-2 on the season. Ott scattered four hits, striking out four and walking two.

“He did a really good job,” Ruiz said. “He set the tone for us. He kept the game close and we were able to (get the bats going). He saved our arms and gave us a chance to be fresh for the next few games.”

Reimin Ramos finished off the Hot Rods’ fifth shutout of the season with two scoreless innings.

Pitching streak continues

Bowling Green starters have now allowed three runs or less in 11 straight starts. Hot Rods pitchers have also not allowed a home run in 87 innings.

Bases-loaded streak ends

Heim’s home run snapped an 0-for-5 streak for Hot Rods hitters with the bases loaded during the current homestand. It was the first grand slam of the season for Bowling Green hitters, who are 4-for-31 with the bases loaded.

Roster move

The Hot Rods announced before the game that outfielder Garrett Whitley was placed on the seven-day disabled list retroactive to May 8.

Outfielder Emilio Gustave was added to the roster from extended spring training.

Up next

The series continues at 6:35 p.m. Friday.

Right-hander Peter Bayer (0-0, 1.37) is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods.

Bayer has allowed three earned runs and 15 hits with 28 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings this season for Bowling Green.

Left-hander Domenick Carlini (0-2, 5.74) is scheduled to start for the Kernels. Carlini has allowed 10 earned runs in 13 innings over his last three starts, going 0-2.

– Follow Hot Rods reporter Micheal Compton on Twitter @mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.