The Bowling Green Hot Rods and the Burlington Bees won their games Wednesday, extending their winning streaks to eight and seven, respectively.

Bowling Green’s 5-4 win gave the team its longest winning streak since notching a franchise-record nine consecutive victories in 2011.

David Olmedo-Barrera led the Hot Rods offense with three hits, a walk and two stolen bases. J.J. Fernandez reached base four times for the Kernels, and blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the 4th inning.

Burlington’s 7-5 win over the South Bend Cubs was done in comeback fashion thanks to a three-run 9th inning that included an RBI double by Tanner Lubach, an RBI single by Jake Yacinich, and a run-scoring wild pitch.

Eddy Martinez went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a solo homer, and three RBI for the Cubs.

Alvarez fans 10 in MWL debut

Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Yadier Alvarez was impressive in his Midwest League debut Wednesday, striking out 10 while giving up only one run on three hits and a walk in five innings for the Great Lakes Loons. He earned the win as the Loons went on to beat the Kane County Cougars 5-1.

Top San Diego Padres prospect Anderson Espinoza didn’t fare as well in his Midwest League debut Wednesday. He gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out only one batter in three innings in his start for the TinCaps. He got a no-decision in Fort Wayne’s 14-6 loss to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Here is what Baseball America wrote about Espinoza in its Prospect Report this morning, offering a clue as to why the power pitcher may have struggled:

While the man he was traded for — Drew Pomeranz — struggled in his Red Sox debut, the 18-year-old righthander didn’t fare much better in his first game in the San Diego organization. Boston’s No. 3 prospect and No. 15 overall allowed seven hits and four runs in three innings as Fort Wayne was routed by Wisconsin (Brewers). Espinoza can blow the ball by young hitters in low Class A, but before the deal, the Red Sox were challenging him to use secondary pitches, which led to mixed results.

Based on a five-man rotation, my guess is Espinoza will pitch next against the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field on Monday night. I’m planning to go to that game as long as the temperature is tolerable — the heat index and humidity are very high today and are expected to remain so for a few days, but Monday’s forecast looks OK as of now.

Duarte promoted after 4-hit game

The Houston Astros promoted prospect Osvaldo Duarte to High-A after the shortstop/outfielder went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI for the Quad Cities River Bandits on Wednesday.

The River Bandits beat the Dragons 6-4 despite Dayton getting a home run from Chris Okey. The Cincinnati Reds prospect has four homers, three doubles and nine RBI in 14 games with the Dragons.

Duarte batted .272 with 3 HR, 23 RBI and 15 SB in 76 games with the River Bandits this season.

Houston Astros prospect Osvaldo Duarte (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)