Anthony homers in 2-1 loss to Braves

Drive collect only three hits as Rome starter Mejia dominates

Roman Anthony eclipsed the double-digit mark for home runs in his young Drive career with a 395-foot, solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, but the solo shot would be all the Greenville Drive (14-17, 50-47) could muster as the Rome Braves (14-17, 44-53) used stellar pitching from Ian Mejia and Tyree Thompson to topple the Drive, 2-1.

After both starting pitchers rang up two in the first inning, it would be the Braves who pounced first in the top of the second. A four-hit inning that included three straight singles, a walked in run, and an RBI-single put the Drive behind 2-0 as the Braves were able to get to Drive starter Angel Bastardo early.

But while the Braves picked up some runs, the Drive would struggle at the plate against Braves starter Mejia. Mejia recorded six strikeouts through the first three innings including sending down the first nine Drive batters before the Drive would finally pick up a hit in the bottom of the fourth inning on Roman Anthony's 10th homer of the year that cut the lead to 2-1.

The middle innings would go quietly for both sides as Mejia continued to hold the Drive at bay. Mejia would ultimately finish the night after seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits without issuing a walk and ringing up eight. Bastardo would exit after 5.1 innings, ending his night allowing two runs on five hits while walking one and ringing up five. Jordan DiValerio would take over for Bastardo ultimately going 2.2 innings while allowing two hits and picking up a strikeout.

Greenville’s best chance to threaten the deficit would come in the bottom of the eighth as they faced Thompson. Ronald Rosario and Eddinson Paulino each reached on a walk putting runners on first and second with no outs. But the Drive would not find themselves in the fortune's favor as Max Ferguson grounded into a double play that moved Rosario to third before Alex Erro hit a weak grounder that resulted in the final out of the inning.

Joey Stock pitched the ninth for the Drive walking one while striking out three to give the Drive a comeback chance in the bottom of the ninth. But a comeback would not be in the cards for the Drive as they’d go down in order, finalizing the Braves’ 2-1 win.

The Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox) return to action at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2 for game two of the six-game series with the Rome Braves. The Braves lead the series, 1-0.