Rome Squeaks By RiverDogs

ROME, GA - On a cool, rainy night in Northwest Georgia, the Rome Braves took a wet ballgame from the Charleston RiverDogs 5-4 on Sunday night at State Mutual Stadium in South Atlantic League action. There were two delays that combined for 1:51 minutes that affected the contest.

With their second straight loss, the RiverDogs fall to 28-28 in the second half and 67-57 overall. Rome advances to 28-28 in the second half and 63-62 overall with the victory.

Greg Bird paced Charleston offensively again going 3-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored.

After Bird's RBI double in the top of the first inning, Rome got a two-run homer from Edison Sanchez in the bottom of the first to go up 2-1.

Sanchez had a huge night for the Braves finishing 3-3 with a homer, two singles, a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Ericson Leonora tied it for Charleston in the top of the third inning with an RBI single that scored Bird. But, again Rome responded in their half of the inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Chase Anselment lined a base hit to right field that scored two runs and put the Braves back on top 4-2.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning when Sanchez was at again knocking in another run to put Rome up 5-2.

Both starters factored in the decision. Derek Varnadore made the spot start for the RiverDogs and allowed four runs, only two earned, on five hits, and walked three in four innings to earn the loss and fall to 1-6. Rome's starter Frank Lafreniere limited Charleston to two runs, one earned, on four hits, one walk, and fanned three over six solid innings to improve to 6-12 with the victory.

Charleston added two runs in the eighth inning on RBI's by Bird and Leonora, but wouldn't get any closer.

After the game's second rain delay occurred in the top of the eighth inning, Alex Wilson came out of the bullpen for the Braves and got the final six outs. He gave up no runs on two hits and struckout two.

The finale of the four game series is Monday night at State Mutual Stadium in Rome. Charleston will send out RHP Brett Gerritse (8-6, 3.43 ERA) for a spot start, and the Braves will counter with RHP Mauricio Cabrera (2-7, 3.91 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7pm on Monday. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/19CRWgj

--RIVERDOGS--