Cooper Kinney blasted a home run for the second straight game to lead the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 5-2 win over the Hickory Crawdads on Wednesday at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory, North Carolina.

The Hot Rods (36-29) scored in the top of the first inning against Crawdads starter Ryan Lobus. Brayden Taylor walked and Tre’ Morgan reached first on a fielding error, putting runners at first and second. Ryan Cermak blasted a three-run home run, giving Bowling Green a 3-0 lead.

Hickory (27-38) responded in the bottom of the second, facing Hot Rods starter Roel Garcia. Konner Piotto singled and crossed home on a Ben Blackwell double to left. Devin Hurdle plated Blackwell from second on a single, cutting into lead, 3-2.

Bowling Green pushed the lead against Lobus in the top of the third. Morgan reached on an infield single and came across to score on a Kinney two-run homer, increasing the lead, 5-2.

In the bottom of the ninth, Jake Christianson sat down the Crawdads lineup in order to end the game, 5-2.

Garcia (5-3) earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout over five frames. Lobus (3-3) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Christianson notched the save with two perfect innings.

The Hot Rods and Crawdads play game three of a six-game series on Thursday with first pitch set for 6 p.m. CT. Bowling Green is set to start right-hander Duncan Davitt (5-4, 3.11), while Hickory rolls out lefty Mitch Bratt (3-3, 4.60).