SAL1 Rome Emperors

Solid Starting Pitching Helps Rome Take Third Straight Win

Published on July 8, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Rome Emperors News Release


Rome, GA -The Rome Braves defeated the Greenville Drive 4-3Friday night at State Mutual Stadium before a crowd of 3,148. The win gives the Braves their longest winning streak since May 29th.

It was Déjà vu for the Braves as they got on the board in the bottom of the fourth in the same fashion as last night. Chris Garcia (9 )connected for his third homerun in his past three games to give starter Willie Kempf and the Braves a 1-0 lead.

The Drive were held scoreless until the top of the sixth when a Brandon Jacobs RBI double brought home Sean Coyle to tie the game 1-1. Rome retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a dropped fly ball in left from Jacobs that allowed Edward Salcedo to score and give the Braves a 2-1 advantage.

In the top of the eighth Xander Bogaerts (5) tied the game up once again for Greenville when he sent the first pitch of the inning over the left field wall for a solo homerun.

With a full count and two outs in the bottom of the eighth Robert Hefflinger scorched a triple off the left centerfield wall to score Evan Gattis all the way from first to put the Braves in the driver's seat once again. Rome then benefitted from a misplayed groundball by Bogaerts that allowed Hefflinger to score and give the Braves a 4-2 lead heading into the final inning.

The Drive made it interesting in the top of the ninth as they edged a run to make it a one run game but closer Dan Jurik shut the door with two runners on to give Rome the 4-3 victory.

Danilo Alvarez (4-3) picks up the win for Rome and Juan Rodriguez(1-3) takes the loss for Greenville. Dan Jurik (2) earns the save.

Both teams return to the field tomorrow at 7pm for game three of the four game series. Former Armuchee High School standout Tyler Wilson will be making the start for Greenville as he returns home to pitch for the first time since being drafted in 2008. Rome counters with RHP Ryan Webber who makes his first start since returning from the disabled list. For ticket information, contact the Rome Braves at 706-378-5144 or log onto www.romebraves.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 8, 2011


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