Six-Run Ninth Carries Rome to 13-9 Win over Legends
August 27, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release
The Rome Braves came from behind with six runs in the ninth inning and took a 13-9 win over the Lexington Legends Wednesday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The teams combined for 33 hits, 17 by Lexington, and three players had four hits in the game.
Rome scored three runs in the top of the first inning, two coming on a home run by Matt Tellor, but the Legends got one back in the bottom of the first on a homer by Austin Bailey.
The Legends tied the game at 3-3 in the third. Luis Valenzuela, who was four-for-five in the game, led off with a single. Bailey walked, and the runners moved to second and third on a sacrifice by Chad Johnson. Wander Franco's single scored Valenzuela, and Bailey scored the tying run on a single by Anderson Miller.
The Legends took a 4-3 lead in the fourth when Valenzuela singled, stole second and scored on Bailey's single.
Rome reclaimed the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth. Stephen Gaylor walked and moved to second on a single by Omar Obregon, the third of his four hits. The runners moved to second and third on a wild pitch, and another wild pitch on ball four to Ryan Gebhart allowed Gaylor to score. Braxton Davidson followed with a single, scoring Obregon, and Luke Dykstra's two-out single brought Gebhart home, giving the Braves a 6-4 lead.
The Legends tied it with two runs in the sixth, one coming on Alexis Rivera's home run, a 430-foot blast over the wall in right center field.
Lexington took a 9-6 lead in the bottom of the seventh when Brandon Downes' two-run homer was followed by Chase Vallot's solo shot.
Eighth-inning doubles by Dykstra, who also had four hits, and Joseph Daris cut the lead to 9-7, and set the stage for Rome's big ninth inning.
Obregon started the ninth with a single. A single by Gebhardt and a walk to Davidson loaded the bases. After Erison Mendez ran for Davidson at first base, Tellor hit a drive to the fence in left center field that bounced back into the playing field. Field umpire Reid Joyner signaled that the hit was a home run, but when the Legends threw home, plate umpire Cody Clark called a runner out at the plate. After a long discussion involving both managers, and during which Rome coach Bobby Moore was ejected, the umpires ruled Tellor's hit a double, scoring two runs and tying the game at 9-9. Mendez was placed at third and Tellor at second with no outs.
Dykstra's single scored Mendez with the tie-breaking run, and Tanner Murphy followed with a three-run homer to give Rome its final margin.
Dustin Emmons (2-6), who pitched the eighth inning for Rome, got the win. Legends reliever Colin Rodgers (3-10) was the losing pitcher.
Each team has won one game in the series, which continues Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...
South Atlantic League Stories from August 27, 2015
- Fast Start Not Enough in 11-5 Loss - Asheville Tourists
- No Lead Safe as 'Dads Fall to 'Dogs 10-7 - Hickory Crawdads
- Reyes' Double Lifts Delmarva in Extras, 2-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Reyes Helps GreenJackets Snap Streak - Augusta GreenJackets
- Falcone, Haddad Help R'Dogs De-Claw Crawdads 10-7 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Braves Top Legends 3-1 - Lexington Legends
- Thompson sets career-high but I's fall in 10 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Drive Roll Past Grasshoppers, 10-2 - Greenville Drive
- Power Bats Shut down by Augusta in Narrow Loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Suns Hold off Claws' Rally 3-1 on Thursday Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Jurickson Profar Returns to Crawdads - Hickory Crawdads
- 'Dads Announce Mike Minter Challenge - Hickory Crawdads
- RiverDogs to Host Faith Night Sunday, August 30 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Intimidators Jersey-Off-Our-Back Silent Auction on Fan Appreciation Day - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- WV Power Game Notes: August 27, 2015 at Augusta - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Begin Final Homestand Saturday - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Power Announce 2015 Playoff Ticket Plans - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Six-Run Ninth Carries Rome to 13-9 Win over Legends - Lexington Legends
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
