Offensive Outburst in Extra Innings Gives Bowling Green Slim Victory
The Rome Braves (20-20) suffered their first extra-inning defeat at State Mutual Stadium in Friday night’s 7-5 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (27-13). The Hot Rods scored six consecutive runs to force extras and ultimately win in the eleventh inning. Rome opened the scoring with three consecutive hits
The Rome Braves (20-20) suffered their first extra-inning defeat at State Mutual Stadium in Friday night’s 7-5 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (27-13). The Hot Rods scored six consecutive runs to force extras and ultimately win in the eleventh inning.
Rome opened the scoring with three consecutive hits in the bottom of the first inning. After a Riley Delgado single and a Michael Harris II double, Delgado scored on an RBI single from Kevin Josephina. Harris touched home plate after Bryce Ball grounded out, and a base hit from Jesse Franklin V brought in Josephina later in the inning. The 3-0 lead was cut into by a Bowling Green homer in the fourth, but Rome responded quickly with a Logan Brown RBI single that scored Franklin from third base. The Hot Rods battled back late, adding three runs in the top of the eighth to tie it at 4-4. Neither side was able to end it in regulation, but a three-run eleventh put Bowling Green out in front. Although Beau Philip scored on a Cody Milligan single, Rome was unable to bring across the necessary runs and lost 7-5 in eleven innings.
Jesse Franklin V continued his hot streak in the month of June. The Seattle, Wash., native was 3-for-4 with one run, one RBI, and a double. Franklin’s batting average is now .281 on the year. In the month of June, the former Michigan Wolverine has a mind-boggling .431 in June with an OPS of 1.362.
One performance that should not get overlooked came from starting pitcher Spencer Strider. The 2020 fourth-round pick out of Clemson pitched six innings, allowing one earned run on one walk and one hit. Strider struck out twelve batters on the night.
The R-Braves will take on the Hot Rods tomorrow for the series’ penultimate matchup. First pitch at State Mutual Stadium is slated for 6 p.m., while gates will open at 5 p.m. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a bobblehead of 2003 Rome Braves and former Atlanta Brave legend Brian McCann, presented by AGC Pediatrics. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit RomeBraves.com/Promotions.