SAL Rome Emperors

Braves Complete the Comeback, Walk off the 'Hoppers

Published on August 23, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Rome Emperors News Release


Rome Braves celebrate win
Rome Braves celebrate win
(Rome Emperors)

ROME, GA - On a night where Spencer Schwellenbach took the mound in Rome for the first time, the Braves complete a late inning rally to even the series with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

After being on the injured list since July 26th, Braves' number three overall prospect Spencer Schwellenbach pitched for the first time since the MLB Future Stars game in Seattle. The right-handed hurler from Saginaw, MI, was drafted by Atlanta in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft.

He would face a Greensboro lineup that was only able to muster up two runs last night, and Schwellenbach would make early work of the Grasshoppers. Schwellenbach would retire the side in order to open up Wednesday night's game, striking out two of the first three batters he saw. It would be the top of the third with two outs before Greensboro would crack into the hit column.

Schwellenbach would exit shortly afterwards, turning in a final line of two hits, three runs, and three strikeouts over two and two thirds of an inning. The Grasshoppers would tack on four runs all in all in the top of the third, building a lead that they would hang on to until the late innings.

In the bottom of the eighth, doubles from Geraldo Quintero and David McCabe would allow the Braves to claw back into a contest that most had already written them out of.

Entering the ninth inning trailing five runs to four, pitcher Rob Griswold would turn in a perfect frame to keep Rome right where they needed to be to complete the epic comeback.

Rome would put the game-tying and game-winning run on base before recording an out in the ninth thanks to a walk to Justin Janas and a single from Adam Zebrowski. With runners on second and third, the Braves would record back-to-back outs, putting Greensboro one out away from escaping out of danger.

Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. would play the hero on Wednesday night, as he ripped a single to shortstop on a full count pitch. Greensboro infielder Jack Brannigan's throw would not be in time, allowing both runs to score and capping off an electric comeback.

The six run to five victory is Rome's fifty-fifth of the season, and their twenty-fifth of the second half. The Braves and Grasshoppers will continue the series on Thursday night as Atlanta Brave Kyle Wright comes to town to begin his journey back to the Major Leagues with a rehab assignment. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm.

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Rome Braves celebrate win
Rome Braves celebrate win
   



South Atlantic League Stories from August 23, 2023


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