SAL1 Rome Emperors

Braves Tomahawk RiverDogs, 5-2

Published on June 4, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Rome Emperors News Release


Cody Johnson belted a mammoth home run as part of a four-run first inning to propel the Rome Braves past the Charleston RiverDogs, 5-2, in South Atlantic League action Wednesday night in front of 2,672 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With the victory, Rome snaps Charleston's seven-game winning streak and improves to 19-39 on the season while the RiverDogs, who fall to Rome for only the second time in 11 games, slip to 39-20.

Coupled with Asheville's 6-5 victory at home against Hickory, Charleston now trails the first-place Tourists by 2 ½ games in the Southern Division standings with 11 games remaining in the first half.

Behind Johnson's 9th round tripper of the season, Rome plated four first-inning runs and added one more in the fourth to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Rome then had to hold off several Charleston rallies to earn the victory, as Charleston loaded the bases three times with fewer than two outs but plated only one total run out of those opportunities.

With one out in the first inning, Carlos Lee singled, stole second and scored on Jason Heyward's RBI single against reigning SAL Co-Pitcher of the Week Jason Stephens (2-3).

Then with two away, Benji Johnson stroked a double down the left field line to score Heyward. The next batter Johnson blasted an 0-1 pitch over the batter's eye in dead center field for a 2-run home run. The home run, which traveled well over 400 feet, left the yard despite being hit into the teeth of a fairly strong wind.

Rome added another run in the fourth when Michael Fisher opened the frame with a double, advanced to third on Adam Coe's single and scored on Chad Lundahl's sacrifice fly to center.

Charleston broke up the shutout bid in the fourth with an unearned run against Rome starter Cole Rohrbough (1-1). Brian Baisley reached second base when Heyward, Rome's right fielder, dropped a lazy pop fly. Baisley advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Carmen Angelini grounded out to shortstop.

The RiverDogs added their second run in the eighth against reliever Edgar Osuna. Consecutive singles by Bradley Suttle, Jesus Montero and Austin Romine loaded the bases with none out. Baisley then sent a deep fly ball to right field to score Suttle, with Heyward making a leaping catch right before he reached the fence.

Dave Williams drew a two-out walk to re-load the sacks, but closer Osuna got Austin Krum to fly out to centerfield to end the scoring threat.

Charleston had the bases loaded in the third and seventh innings and didn't score, and could only muster one run when the bags were full on two occasions in the eighth.

Rohrbough pitched six complete frames and allowed one unearned run on four hits while walking three and striking out five. Osuna, in earning his fifth save, threw the final three stanzas and also allowed one run on three hits.

Rome collected 10 hits on the night with Fisher accounting for three while Lee and Heyward each had a pair. Abraham Almonte collected two of Charleston's seven safeties.

While Rome's pitchers fanned seven RiverDogs, the hosts had eight punchouts with Stephens accounting for four and middle reliever Craig Heyer the other four.

The finale of this four-game block is set for Thursday at 7:05 p.m. with Charleston sending righty Adam Olbrychowski (3-2, 3.23 ERA) to the mound while Rome is expected to go with southpaw Eric Barrett (1-5, 5.11 ERA).

Check out the Rome Emperors Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from June 4, 2008


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.

OurSports Central