Hot Rods, Drive Set for Saturday Showdown in Greenville

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — The surging Bowling Green Hot Rods and struggling Greenville Drive continue their six-game series Saturday at Fluor Field at the West End, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. under clear skies and an 83-degree forecast.

The teams enter in starkly different form. Bowling Green (9-3) has won three of the first four games of this series and seven of its last eight overall. Greenville (3-9) seeks to halt a four-game skid after dropping a 9-8 decision Thursday and a 5-7 contest Friday.

A player to watch for the Hot Rods is first baseman Tony Santa Maria, who is 6 for 14 (.429) with a home run and four RBIs over his last four games. He went 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs in Thursday’s 9-8 victory.

Greenville will look to shortstop Yoeilin Cespedes to spark its offense. Cespedes had a breakout performance Thursday, launching two home runs and driving in five runs in the losing effort.

The Drive’s 7-5 win Friday snapped Bowling Green’s seven-game win streak. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Hot Rods are projected to rebound with an 8-2 victory Saturday.

Following Sunday’s series finale, Bowling Green will host the Jersey Shore BlueClaws for a six-game set beginning Tuesday. Greenville hits the road Tuesday for a six-game series against the Asheville Tourists.