ROME, GA - The visiting Asheville Tourists evened their four game series with Rome on Sunday afternoon with a 5-4 victory, erasing the Rome lead with late inning rallies against the Braves bullpen. Asheville scored three in the 7th inning to tie it up 4-4 and used consecutive two out
ROME, GA - The visiting Asheville Tourists evened their four game series with Rome on Sunday afternoon with a 5-4 victory, erasing the Rome lead with late inning rallies against the Braves bullpen. Asheville scored three in the 7th inning to tie it up 4-4 and used consecutive two out doubles to score the winning run in the 9th.
The Tourists started fast on a Terrin Vavra leadoff homerun on the second pitch of the game, making it 1-0 Asheville. Rome had an early rally in them as well, as the Braves answered with three runs on four hits in the Bottom of the 1st. Greg Cullen ripped a one out single and moved up on a Trey Harris base hit. Both then scored on a two run double into left by Logan Brown. With two outs Hagen Owenby doubled down the right field line on the first pitch he saw and increased Rome's lead to 3-1.
Owenby again was central to a rally in the 4th inning when he lead off with a triple to the wall in center. Carlos Paraguate delivered with a two out single into left to score him and give the Braves their largest advantage of the day at 4-1.
The lead held until the 7th when Asheville used the bottom of their order to attack Rome reliever RHP Matt Hartman. The first two batters singled and walked, bringing in Javier Guevara who drilled a two run double to the wall in left. He scored on a sacrifice fly from Daniel Montano to tie the game at 4-4.
Rome reliever LHP Dilmer Mejia appeared to have the game under control but allowed back-to-back two out doubles in the 9th inning to Montano and Coco Montes, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
The Braves had two on with only one out in the Bottom of the 9th inning but could not deliver the game-altering hit. Asheville closer RHP Alexander Martinez got a strikeout to end the game and give the Tourists a 5-4 win. The defeat ends Rome's three game winning streak and returns them to the .500 mark at 25-25 overall.
Rome starter RHP Trey Riley pitched well and received a no-decision. He threw 4 innings and allowed one run on four hits, struck out three and walked one. Hartman pitched 2+ innings and allowed three runs on two hits. He walked three and struck out one. Mejia was tagged with the loss and went 3 innings, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Ownenby was excellent in his debut. He finished 3-4 with a double, triple, RBI and a run scored. Harris was 2-4 with a run scored. Brown was 1-4 with a double and two RBI.
Rome and Asheville continue their four game series Monday evening at State Mutual Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm. Rome will start RHP Odalvi Javier (2-2, 4.78) while Asheville starts RHP Ryan Feltner (3-3, 4.96).
