SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends Hold off Rome, Win Series Opener 7-5

Published on July 28, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Home runs by Telvin Nash and Roberto Pena backed a strong pitching effort by starter Luis Cruz as the Lexington Legends defeated the Rome Braves 7-5 Thursday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

The Legends scored two runs in the first inning. With one out, Jay Austin singled. He advanced to second when Mike Kvasnicka grounded out to shortstop. After Telvin Nash walked, Ben Heath singled to center, scoring Austin and moving Nash to third, from where he scored on a passed ball.

Lexington added two more in the fourth. Telvin Nash led off with his ninth home run of the year. Two outs later, Ben Orloff singled, stole second base, and came home on Emilio King's double.

Rome got on the board in the fifth when Robby Hefflinger hit a solo home run with two outs, but the Legends answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Delino DeShields Jr. led off with a bunt single, and Jay Austin walked. DeShields moved to third after Kvasnicka flied out to center field, and scored on a wild pitch to give the Legends a 5-1 lead.

Roberto Pena's two-run homer in the sixth inning made the score 7-1 Lexington.

Rome rallied with two runs in the seventh. Edward Salcedo led off with a single. One out later, he scored on Chris Garcia's double to center. After Hefflinger reached on an infield single, David Rohm singled to center, scoring Garcia, and cutting the Legends lead to 7-3.

The Braves put two more runs on the board in the eighth. Matt Lipka led off with a walk. Salcedo bunted, but Lipka was forced out at second. Gattis and Garcia drew back to back walks to load the bases. Hefflinger then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Salcedo. Rohm's infield single scored Gattis with the final Rome run.

Jorge De Leon pitched a scoreless ninth for Lexington to get his 13th save.

Cruz (3-2) struck out nine in six and one- third innings of work, and did not walk a batter. Rome starter Aaron Northcraft (3-7) got the loss. Lexington and Rome will play game two of a four game series Friday night. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 28, 2011


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