Hot Rods break stolen base record in loss
Published 11:10 pm Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Bowling Green Hot Rods third baseman Tony Santa Maria (15) runs home during the Hot Rods’ 7-6 win over the Rome Emperors at Bowling Green Ballpark on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
(Grace McDowell / Daily News)
The Bowling Green Hot Rods swiped five bases, breaking their all-time single-season franchise record in a 6-5 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Wednesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.
The Hot Rods’ 265 stolen bases this season surpasses Bowling Green’s 262 steals from the 2024 team.
The Hot Rods (75-39 overall, 28-21 second half) broke the ice with two runs in the bottom of the first inning against starting pitcher Jack Anker. Tony Santa Maria drilled a two-run single to left field for a 2-0 edge. Ryan Cermak reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second base, and Ryan McCoy punished Greensboro with a two-run home run to right-center field to inflate the lead to 4-0.
Bowling Green added another run against Anker in the bottom of the fourth inning. Noah Myers logged a one-out base hit and stole second, moving to third on a Jhon Diaz fielder’s choice. Brendan Summerhill brought him home with an RBI single to left, making it 5-0 Hot Rods.
Greensboro (70-46, 29-21) got on the scoreboard with three runs against reliever Jadon Bercovich in the top of the fifth. Dylan Palmer reached on an error, Edward Florentino collected a walk and Yordany De Los Santos hit a three-run home run to left-center field, trimming Bowling Green’s advantage to 5-3.
The Grasshoppers tied the game in the top of the seventh against reliever Andres Galan. Wyatt Sanford rolled a single to center and Florentino followed with a two-run homer to right-center field, evening the game at 5-5.
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The visitors took their first lead in the top of the ninth against reliever Kaleb Corbett. Shalin Polanco smacked a solo home run into the right-field bullpen for a 6-5 Greensboro advantage.
The Hot Rods put the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth, but a Nathan Flewelling flyout to the right-center field warning track wrapped up a 6-5 final score.
Brandon Cain (1-1) delivered the win, firing 1 1/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out one. Corbett (4-4) was tagged with the loss, surrendering one run on one hit, two walks and added one strikeout in an inning. Victor Cabreja earned the save, retiring the last two batters and fanning one.
The Hot Rods return to the diamond on Thursday night for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. Bowling Green will send left-hander Blake Morgan (0-1, 3.60) to the mound against Greensboro righty Levi Sterling (0-0, 0.00).
