SAL1 Rome Emperors

Late Inning Magic Lifts Braves in Series Opener

August 1, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Rome Emperors News Release


Rome, GA - The Rome Braves defeated the Greenville Drive 3-2 Monday night at State Mutual Stadium before a crowd of 1,826. Rome has now won six of their last eight games against the Drive and look to continue their success tomorrow at 7pm in game two of the series.

Greenville took advantage of a Matt Lipka throwing error in the top of the second to take a 1-0 lead. After David Renfroe reached on Lipka's wild throw, Carson Blair later drove him in with an RBI single down the right field line to give the Drive a 1-0 advantage.

After Lipka hit an infield single in the bottom of the sixth, Greenville reliever Scott Swinson made a throwing error on a pick off attempt that moved Lipka to second. Later in the inning with two outs and the tying run at third, Edward Salcedo hit another infield single to plate Lipka and even the score at 1-1.

In the top of the eighth Braves reliever Chasen Shreve walked the leadoff batter Drew Dominguez. After a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch Dominguez stood at third representing the go ahead run. Wilfred Pichardo delivered with an RBI double that was deflected off Shreve's glove into shallow left field to give Greenville a 2-1 lead.

The lead would be short lived however as Rome came to life in the bottom of the inning. Tony Mueller reached on an error by Drive shortstop Xander Bogaerts to lead off the inning. After Lipka sacrificed Mueller to second, Tommy La Stella roped an RBI double off the right field wall to tie the game. Salcedo followed with his second RBI single of the night to score La Stella and send the Braves into the ninth with a 3-2 lead. The lead would hold as Gus Schlosser shut the door in the ninth to send Rome home as 3-2 victors.

Chasen Shreve (4-4) earns the win for Rome and Scott Swinson (3-3) takes the loss for Greenville. Gus Schlosser picks up his fifth save.

Game two of the four game series will be tomorrow at 7pm. 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 1, 2011


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