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SAL1 Rome Emperors

Hagerstown Walks Off Rome 5-4 in Series Opener

August 1, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Rome Emperors News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD - Rome was unable to hold a pair of leads and dropped the opening game of their three game series 5-4 to Hagerstown on Wednesday evening. Rome got early homers from Justin Dean and Griffin Benson and solid relief work from lefty Jake Higginbotham in the loss.

The Braves jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a leadoff homerun from Dean out to center field. The homer was his fifth of the season.

Hagerstown answered with a rally against Rome starter RHP Alan Rangel and chased him after 1 inning and two runs. Rangel was forced to throw 39 pitches in the frame in order to record three outs, and did not return for the 2nd inning.

Trailing 2-1 in the Top of the 2nd, Rome took the lead back on Benson's two run homer to center, giving the visitors a 3-2 advantage.

Higginbotham steadied the game for the Braves, firing a season-high 4 innings out of the bullpen. He did not allow a run and surrendered only three hits, while striking out three and issuing no walks.

The scoring resumed in the 7th when Suns slugger Jacob Rhinesmith hit a two run double off the wall in right to put Hagerstown back on top 4-3.

Down to their final strike with runners on the corners in the 9th inning Dean came through once again, lifting a single into center to tie the game 4-4. Rome was unable to retake the lead however and stranded two in the inning. The Suns walked it off in the Bottom of the 9th on a Drew Mendoza RBI single.

The Rome lineup was 1-12 with runners in scoring position in the game.

Dean finished the evening 3-4 with a homer, a walk, a stolen base and two RBI. Benson was 1-4 with a homer and two RBI. Jeremy Fernandez was 2-4 with a run scored.

Rome and Hagerstown continue their three game series Thursday night at Municipal Stadium. First pitch of Game 2 is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

Rome Braves (19-20, 49-59): 4 R 9 H 2 E

Hagerstown Suns (19-19, 49-59): 5 R 11 H 2 E

W: Ryan Williamson (3-0)

L: Gabriel Noguera (4-5)

Time: 2:50

Attendance: 456

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