Rome Comeback Snaps Savannah Winning Streak at 11 Games
Published on July 6, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - The Rome Braves scored five unanswered runs in the sixth through eighth innings for a 5-3 comeback win snapping the Savannah Sand Gnats' 11-game winning streak Wednesday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. The Gnats (12-2/51-32) still hold the best record in the South Atlantic League.
The Gnats' now finished 11-game winning streak matches the franchise's best since the beginning of the 1993 season. Savannah won 11 games in a row in 1993 as the Savannah Cardinals and in 2000 as the Sand Gnats.
In a 3-3 game, Rome DH Chris Garcia led off the eighth inning with a solo home run just to the left of straightaway centerfield to give the Braves (3-11/28-56) their first lead of the night. Rome tacked on a second run in the inning off reliever Luis Rojas to establish the final margin of 5-3.
The Gnats built a 3-0 lead by scoring a single run in every one of the first three innings. In the first, SS Wilfredo Tovar walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on C Blake Forsythe's infield single along the third base line. In the second, 2B Luis Nieves ripped a double down the right field line bringing home Sam Honeck who had drawn a leadoff walk. In the third, RF Rafael Fernandez stole two bases and scored on catcher Ryan Delgado's throwing error.
Rome began their rally against Gnats' starter Taylor Whitenton in the sixth. 2B Tommy La Stella led off the frame with a solo home run to make the score 3-1 Savannah. Whitenton finished the sixth, yielding just one run on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
After two walks and a double, the Braves tied the game in the seventh against Rojas on La Stella's RBI groundout to second. Rojas was charged with the loss to fall to 1-5.
Braves' starter Caleb Brewer retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced to finish seven innings and earn his fifth win of the year. Reliever Chris Schlosser struck out three in the final two innings to record his first professional save.
The Gnats will begin a four-game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers Thursday night. Gnats' RHP Gonzalez Germen (6-3, 3.95) will take on 'Hoppers RHP Robert Morey (3-6, 6.89). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and gates open at 6 pm. The radio broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com begins at 6:50.
Tomorrow: Thirsty Thursday and Happy Hour
Thirsty Thursday - Half-price on all small sodas and small beers all night long, presented by Budweiser & I-95
Happy Hour - $0.50 Natty Lights & $3.00 Captain and Cokes from 6pm to first pitch on Land Shark Landing at the Captain Morgan's Cove Bar, presented by Tubby's of Thunderbolt.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 6, 2011
- Rome Comeback Snaps Savannah Winning Streak at 11 Games - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Shorebirds Top 'Dads, 5-4, in Rain-Shortened Game - Hickory Crawdads
- Greene, 'Dogs Avoid Sweep, Sting GreenJackets, 5-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Shorebirds Win Rain Shortened Game Three, 5-4 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Sweep Evades GreenJackets in 5-4 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Gnats Game Notes: Wednesday, July 6 Vs. Rome - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Brad Lidge to Rehab Again with Lakewood Thursday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Intimidators Squash Grasshoppers 8-2 In Road Sweep - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- RHP Ryan Palsha placed on the Disabled List - Delmarva Shorebirds
- West Virginia Rallies, Tops Legends in 10, 7-5 - Lexington Legends
- BlueClaws Walk off Again 1-0 Wednesday Afternoon - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Lakewood Walks off Again, Beats Hagerstown 1-0 - Hagerstown Suns
- Salcedo Named Player of the Week - Rome Emperors
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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