The Bowling Green Hot Rods held off a late charge by West Michigan to take the opener of the Eastern Division Championship series with a 6-5 win Saturday in Comstock Park, Mich.

Bowling Green led 4-0 and 6-2, but had to survive a bases-loaded threat to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Jim Haley led the offense with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored while Trey Hair and Moises Gomez added two hits each.

Resly Linares earned the win, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Matt Seelinger earned the save, escaping a bases-loaded, two-out jam by getting Colby Bortles to pop out to end the game.

The series resumes at Bowling Green Ballpark at 6:35 p.m. Sunday, with the Hot Rods one win away from advancing to the Midwest League Championship series.

Right-hander Paul Campbell is scheduled to start for the Hot Rods, with righty Elvin Rodriguez slated to start for West Michigan.