SAL Rome Emperors

Bowling Green Bats Blast Past Rome

Published on July 9, 2021 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Rome Emperors News Release


After shining in the first game of yesterday's doubleheader, Rome's (31-26) pitchers had a tough go of things in Friday night's 9-5 loss to Bowling Green (37-20). The Hot Rods rocked R-Brave pitching for fifteen hits in their five-run victory.

Bowling Green opened the scoring with a three-run second inning. Rome responded quickly, plating three runs themselves in the bottom of the second. Logan Brown dropped a well-placed ball into deep left field, resulting in an RBI double that scored Jesse Franklin V from second base. After Brown moved to third base, he was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Shean Michel. The Braves tied it later in the inning when Andrew Moritz drove in Beau Philip with an RBI line drive to left field.

The Hot Rods scored once in the third inning to take the lead back, then poured on four more runs over the next two innings to make it a five-run advantage. Andrew Moritz reached on a single in the bottom of the eighth and scored thanks to a Kevin Josephina double to cut it to a four-run deficit. Bowling Green added another run for good measure in the top of the ninth, but Rome responded with an RBI triple by Shean Michel to once again make it a four-run game. Sadly, the R-Brave rally was cut short as the Hot Rods walked away 9-5 winners.

Moritz had an almost-perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Josephina finished 2-for-4 with one RBI while Philip (1-for-3, one run) and Franklin (1-for-4, one run) tallied one hit each. Brown (2-for-4, one RBI, one run) reached three times with one walk, one single, and one double. Michel was 1-for-3 with two RBI.

AJ Puckett, who joined the active roster on Friday after being transferred from Double-A Mississippi, allowed seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. He did not issue a walk but gave up ten hits while striking out four Hot Rods. Zach Daniels pitched 2 2/3 innings, surrendering his first earned run since May 19th. Mitch Horacek, making his Rome debut after a stint in Triple-A Gwinnett, picked up two strikeouts in one inning. Luis Mora was activated from the Developmental List on Friday and pitched one inning, giving up one walk and recording two strikeouts. Trey Riley gave up one run on two hits in the top of the ninth.

The Hot Rods have now taken three of the five games in Rome this week. More importantly, they stretched their lead in the division by one more game, and currently lead the third-place R-Braves by six games in the High-A East South.

The Rome Braves and Bowling Green Hot Rods will play their second doubleheader of the week on Saturday night in Floyd County. First pitch of Game 1 is slated for 5 p.m., while Game 2 will start approximately 35 minutes after the conclusion of the first matchup. Saturday's game highlight is Christmas in July, as State Mutual Stadium will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland for one night only. Fans can enjoy Christmas-themed games, a wrapping contest, carolers, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans through the gates for Saturday's doubleheader will receive a Rome Braves Christmas Stocking. The stocking giveaway is presented by the Rome News Tribune.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit RomeBraves.com/Promotions or contact the Rome Braves Box Office at 706-378-5144.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 9, 2021


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