p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 14.0px} span.s1 {font-kerning: none}HAGERSTOWN, Md. - In a battle of first-place teams, the Rome Braves (17-8) rallied back to win with runs in the seventh and eighth
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - In a battle of first-place teams, the Rome Braves (17-8) rallied back to win with runs in the seventh and eighth innings to swipe the series opener from the Hagerstown Suns (15-10) at Municipal Stadium, 4-3.
Suns reliever Matthew DeRosier (Loss, 0-1) allowed a solo homer to Braves catcher Lucas Herbert that tied up the game in the top of the seventh, 3-3. Rome center fielder Cristian Pache led off the eighth with a triple and later scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by DeRosier.
The Suns scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the sixth. Shortstop Carter Kieboom led off with a double to the wall in left and right fielder Juan Soto followed with an RBI ground-rule double down the right field line.
Soto later scored on sacrifice fly to center by second baseman Jake Noll , but Soto suffered a mild injury to his right ankle while sliding home. The 18-year-old Washington Nationals prospect was pulled from the game but is not expected to miss any more time.
Hagerstown left fielder Nick Banks added an RBI double in the sixth and finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Third baseman Sheldon Neuse went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk.
Ian Anderson, third-overall pick during the 2016 MLB Draft, started for the Braves on his 19th birthday and was charged with all three Hagerstown runs in the bottom of the sixth. Reliever Thomas Burrows (Win, 2-1) threw 2 2/23 scoreless innings and Adam McCreery (Save, 1) struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth.
Suns starting pitcher Sterling Sharp racked up seven strikeouts, one shy of his career high, in six strong innings of work. He gave up just four hits and his only two earned runs against came on a two-run homer by Rome designated hitter Brett Cumberland in the fourth.
The Suns and Braves continue their series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. during a Bark at the Park Night. Fans are invited to bring their canine pals to Municipal Stadium for free with any purchased ticket. For more info or to buy tickets, call 301-791-6266 or visit hagerstownsuns.com.
