Brayden Taylor launched the first of five home runs to help the Bowling Green Hot Rods defeat the Rome Emperors 12-2 on Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Bowling Green (46-34 overall, 10-4 second half) scored in the bottom of the first inning against Rome starter Beau Philip. Xavier Isaac walked and scored on a Taylor two-run blast to right, putting the Hot Rods ahead 2-0. Cooper Kinney reached first on a fielder’s choice and Colton Ledbetter smacked a two-run home run to right, extending the lead, 4-0.

Rome (41-38, 5-10) responded in the top of the fourth against Hot Rods starter Roel Garcia. Ethan Workinger and Adam Zebrowski singled, putting runners at first and second. E.J. Exposito singled, scoring Workinger from second to cut the lead, 4-1.

The Hot Rods added insurance in the bottom of the third, facing Emperors reliever Rob Griswold. Ledbetter led off with a triple and was plated on a Ryan Cermak two-run homer to left. Tatem Levins rocketed a solo home run, pushing the Bowling Green lead to 7-1.

The Emperors scratched across a run in the top of the sixth, still facing Garcia. Stephen Paolini doubled to right and was plated on a base hit from Bryson Worrell to make it 7-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, Bowling Green added two more runs against Rome reliever William Silva. Levins was hit by a pitch and Brock Jones hammered a two-run blast, increasing the lead, 9-2.

The Hot Rods blew the game open in the bottom of the seventh with Silva still on the mound. Tre’ Morgan singled and scored on a Kinney double. Jones logged a base hit to score Kinney from second and make it 11-2 Hot Rods.

Bowling Green scored the final run in the bottom of the eighth leading to a 12-2 win.

Garcia (6-4) earned the victory after pitching six innings, surrendering two runs on nine hits and striking out three. Philip (0-1) received the loss after working an inning, allowing four runs on three hits, one walk and one strikeout.

Bowling Green is off on Sunday and Monday before returning to Bowling Green Ballpark on Tuesday to face the Hickory Crawdads for a six-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.