July 19, 2025

Rodriguez Leads Greenville Drive to Comeback Win

News Summary

Yophery Rodriguez’s impressive ninth-inning performance, highlighted by a crucial solo home run, secured a 4-3 comeback victory for the Greenville Drive against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Despite a shaky start from starting pitcher Brandon Clarke, the Drive rallied from behind, showcasing their resilience and playoff aspirations. This win puts them just three games behind the first-place Hub City Spartanburgers in the South Division standings, setting the stage for an important matchup in the ongoing series.

Bowling Green, KY – Yophery Rodriguez’s clutch performance in the top of the ninth inning propelled the Greenville Drive to a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over the Bowling Green Hot Rods in the opener of their three-game series on Thursday night. Rodriguez’s two-out solo home run broke a 3-3 tie, marking a significant moment in a game filled with dramatic twists and turns.

This victory improved the Drive’s record to 43-43, bringing them to just three games behind the first-place Hub City Spartanburgers in the South Division’s second-half standings. The win highlights Greenville’s resilience as they continue their push for playoff contention.

The game unfolded with a series of unpredictable plays, including wild pitches, timely hitting, and defensive errors that kept both teams on edge. Brandon Clarke, Greenville’s starting pitcher, had a tough start, struggling to control his pitches and throwing three wild pitches in the first inning. The Hot Rods capitalized on Clarke’s struggles, scoring their first run without a hit, aided by leadoff man Adrian Santana’s aggressive base running.

Clarke’s performance continued to falter as he walked four batters over 2.2 innings before being replaced after allowing another run in the third inning. Santana showcased his fleet feet again, scoring a run in the third thanks to a double steal and a throwing error by Drive catcher Johanfran Garcia.

Greenville finally made their mark in the third inning when Franklin Arias hit a single that brought Freili Encarnacion home, leveling the score at 1-1. However, Bowling Green quickly regained the lead, 2-1, capitalizing on another fielding mishap from the Drive. The Hot Rods further extended their advantage in the fifth inning when Noah Myers hit a solo home run off reliever Michael Sansone, pushing the score to 3-1.

Despite their earlier struggles, the Greenville offense showed resilience, starting a rally in the seventh inning. They scored two runs, tying the game at 3-3 when Encarnacion crossed home plate after stealing second base and benefiting from a throwing error by the Hot Rods.

With the game locked in a tight contest heading into the ninth inning, Rodriguez provided the pivotal moment of the night. His home run, a powerful shot over the outfield, marked his fourth of the season and his first since June 29. Earlier in the game, Rodriguez also contributed with a double and scored once, showcasing his all-around offensive impact.

In the ninth inning, Isaac Stebens took the mound for Greenville and secured the victory by retiring the side in order. Stebens’s strong performance lowered his season ERA to an impressive 1.75. Meanwhile, Michael Sansone’s relief pitching kept the Hot Rods in check, as he allowed only one run over 4.1 innings following Clarke’s shaky start.

Despite opportunities to capitalize on scoring chances, Bowling Green struggled with runners in scoring position, finishing the game 0-for-9 and leaving six men on base. This inability to convert opportunities ultimately played a significant role in the outcome of the game.

Looking ahead, the second game of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 6:35 PM CT, where both teams will look to improve their standings and build momentum for the remainder of the season.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER

The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.

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