A successful homestand ended in unsuccessful fashion for the Bowling Green Hot Rods, who dropped an 8-5 decision to the Brooklyn Cyclones in Sunday’s series finale at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Brooklyn used a strong offensive output to take control and held off a late charge from BG to make it back-to-back wins over the Hot Rods. Despite the loss, Bowling Green still claimed the series, winning four out of six in the series and finished the homestand 8-4.

Bowling Green (21-18) struck first with a solo homer from Tre’ Morgan, but the Cyclones seized the momentum from there.

Brooklyn (20-19) scored in each of the next four innings – getting an RBI double from Jefry De Los Santos in the second and a solo homer from Karrall Pez to take a 2-1 lead in the third.

De Los Santos added an RBI single and Nolan McLean smacked a solo shot to double the lead in the fourth. Brooklyn broke it open with four runs in the fifth – including a two-run triple from Wilfredo Lara – to make the score 8-1.

Bowling Green got a run in the sixth before scoring three in the eighth on RBI singles from Morgan, Brock Jones and Jhon Diaz. The Hot Rods had a chance to get closer, but pinch hitter Xavier Isaac grounded out with two on to end the threat.

The Hot Rods went in order in the ninth.

Jonny Cuevas (3-1) took the loss in his first start of the season. The right-hander allowed four runs and five hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings of work.

Morgan, Diaz and Chandler Simpson had two hits each, with Simpson and Morgan scoring two runs each.

SUNDAY BLUES

The Hot Rods’ record in Sunday games, and series finales, dropped to 2-5 with the loss to Brooklyn. Bowling Green is 1-3 at home in Sunday series finales, including losses on both Sundays in the just completed 12-game homestand.

WE THE NORTH

Sunday’s game ended a 24-game stretch against South Atlantic League Northern teams for the Hot Rods.

Bowling Green finished 12-12, winning two series, splitting one and dropping one at Jersey Shore.

UP NEXT

The Hot Rods head out on the road to open a six-game series at Winston-Salem with game one scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday.

The two teams met Bowling Green April 16-21 with the Hot Rods taking four out of six in the series. This will be Bowling Green’s first game against a Southern Division opponent since that series.

Neither team has announced a starter for Tuesday.{&end}