SAL1 Rome Emperors

Kempf's Seven Strong Innings Lifts Braves

August 13, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Rome Emperors News Release


Rome, GA - The Rome Braves defeated the Asheville Tourists 7-2 Saturday night at State Mutual Stadium before a crowd of 3,507. The Braves begin a nine game road trip tomorrow afternoon in Greenville with five games against the Drive before paying a visit to Asheville to take on the Tourists in a four game set. The Braves return home on August 22nd to begin their final regular season home stand of the 2011 season.

In the top of the first Asheville took a 1-0 lead after Rafael Ortega scored on a run scoring sacrifice fly by Corey Dickerson. Ortega led off the game with a bloop single to left and immediately stole second base but was able to advance to third when catcher Ryan Query's throw sailed into centerfield.

In the bottom of the fourth the Braves had runners on second and third with no outs after Robert Hefflinger walked and Matt Weaver doubled down the right field line. Query then came to the plate and scored Hefflinger with a safety squeeze bunt. Two batters later with Weaver at third, Asheville pitcher Peter Tango's 2-2 pitch to Matt Lipka sailed to the backstop and allowed Weaver to score and give the Braves a 2-1 lead. Rome pushed across four more runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 6 -1. The scoring was highlighted by Evan Gattis' RBI double and another devastating two RBI double by Matt Weaver off the centerfield wall.

Edward Salcedo had an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 7-1 game which would prove to be more than enough for starter Willie Kempf as he went seven strong innings for the Braves. The right hander struck out eight batters while giving up only two runs on six hits to help give the Braves their third victory in the four game series. Jarret Miller pitched the eighth and ninth inning and secured the 7-2 victory.

Willie Kempf (3-3) earns the win for Rome and Peter Tago (3-4) takes the loss for Asheville.

The Braves return home on August 22nd to begin their final regular season home stand which will feature four games against Savannah and six games against Kannapolis. For ticket information, contact the Rome Braves at 706-378-5144 or log onto www.romebraves.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 13, 2011


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