SAL Rome Emperors

R-Braves Drop Third Straight in 7-5 Loss to Grasshoppers

Published on July 18, 2021 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Rome Emperors News Release


Rome Braves talk shop against the Greensboro Grasshoppers
Rome Braves talk shop against the Greensboro Grasshoppers
(Rome Emperors)

The Rome Braves (33-33) could not get it done in Sunday afternoon's 7-5 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (40-26). Rome battled back to tie it in the middle innings, but consistent scoring by Greensboro handed them another victory at State Mutual Stadium.

Greensboro struck first, as a two-run double gave them a pair of runs in the first inning. Rome scored in the bottom of the second when a Rusber Estrada RBI single drove in Jesse Franklin V from third base. The Grasshoppers added two more runs in the top of the fifth to control a 4-1 advantage.

Heavy rain moved into the area in the home-half of inning no. 5. The R-Braves thrived in the rain, though, scoring three times in the fifth. Michael Harris II drove a fastball to the right-field corner, bringing home Cody Milligan and Riley Delgado with a two-run triple. The home team tied it later in the inning when a wild pitch allowed Harris to touch home plate, making it a 4-4 ballgame. By the time Greensboro recorded the final out, the rain was reduced to a drizzle.

After a short delay to patch up the mound, the Grasshoppers got right back to business. The Pittsburgh Pirate affiliate scored once in the sixth, once in the eighth, and once in the ninth to take a 7-4 lead. Greensboro pitching gave up a solo homer to Estrada in the ninth but generated the final three outs to walk away two-run victors.

Brett Langhorne picked up his third straight two-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 on the day. Milligan (2B, R) and Estrada (HR, 2 RBI, R) had two hits each. Harris (1-for-4, 3B) drove in two runs and scored once while Delgado (1-for-4, R) and Franklin (1-for-3, R) also recorded a base knock.

Harris (1-for-4, 3B) led the team with two RBI. Franklin (1-for-3, R), Delgado (1-for-4, R), and Estrada (1-for-4, RBI) had one hit each in the defeat.

Jake McSteen got the start on Sunday, giving up three earned runs on five hits and two walks. The Nebraska product struck out three Grasshoppers in five innings. Marrick Crouse (1IP, 3K), Kasey Kalich (2IP, 2K), and Mitch Horacek (1IP) each allowed one earned run as well.

Rome lost five of six matchups this week to Greensboro. The R-Braves finished the homestand with a 4-10 record, going 3-5 against the Bowling Green Hot Rods and 1-5 versus the Grasshoppers. Rome sits fourth in the High-A East South. They are 1.5 games behind third-place Greenville, 7 games behind second-place Greensboro, and 11.5 games behind division-leading Bowling Green.

The Braves will spend tomorrow traveling to the Bluegrass State for a six-game set with the Hot Rods. First pitch in Bowling Green is set for 7:35 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. The two teams will face off at 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, 7:35 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 6:35 p.m. Sunday.

Rome returns to State Mutual Stadium on Tuesday, July 27, to open a six-game series against the Asheville Tourists. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit RomeBraves.com or call the Rome Braves Box Office at 706-378-5144.

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Rome Braves talk shop against the Greensboro Grasshoppers
Rome Braves talk shop against the Greensboro Grasshoppers
   



South Atlantic League Stories from July 18, 2021


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