Braves Roll Past Drive, 12-5

Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive's struggles against the Rome Braves in 2014 continued on Monday night, as the Braves used three big innings to come away with a 12-5 victory in the series opener at Fluor Field. The Braves are now 9-3 against the Drive this season.

Rome struck for three runs early when Connor Lien smacked a three-run homer off Jamie Callahan (3-11) in the top of the first, but the Drive answered with four runs in the bottom half to take the lead. 

Sam Travis got the inning going when he blasted a two-run homer off the balconies in left-center against Tyler Brosius. The homer was his first with the Drive and cut Rome's lead to 3-2. Later in the frame, Cole Sturgeon dropped an RBI single to left to tie the game, and Jimmy Rider lined a double off the Green Monster to give the Drive the lead.

That lead was short-lived, as the Braves scored four more times in the top of the second to chase Callahan from the game. Johan Camargo drove in a run on a groundout to tie the game back up at four, and Sean Godfrey then singled home two to put Rome on top for good. Jake Schrader added an RBI single to score Godfrey and force a pitching change.

Sergio Gomez came on in relief and saved the Drive bullpen with his outstanding work, as he allowed just one run and one hit in five and a third innings with one walk and four strikeouts.

The Braves scored four more times in the eighth with Raynel Velette on the hill for the Drive. Sal Giardina hit an RBI single in the frame, while Reed Harper hit a sacrifice fly to score a run and Camargo doubled home a pair.

Schrader collected three hits for Rome, while Lien went 2-5 with three RBI and Camargo drove home three as well. Rider had a three-hit night for Greenville, and Sturgeon chipped in with two hits.

Game two of the three-game series begins at 7:05 on Tuesday night at Fluor Field. RH Teddy Stankiewicz (8-7, 4.01) takes the ball for the Drive, while the Braves send LH Matt Marksberry (5-7, 3.18) to the mound.