Braves Win Barn Burner Behind Mejia
ROME, GA – Ian Mejia’s longest start of the year just so happened to be his best, as his 7.1 innings of one run baseball lifted the Braves over the Crawdads, 2-1 in game three of the series. The first three innings of Thursday night’s ballgame came and went without
ROME, GA – Ian Mejia’s longest start of the year just so happened to be his best, as his 7.1 innings of one run baseball lifted the Braves over the Crawdads, 2-1 in game three of the series.
The first three innings of Thursday night’s ballgame came and went without a hit, much less a baserunner. Leadoff hitter Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. lifted the spell after his team-leading 37th walk of the year put him aboard in the fourth. Rome’s first hit and subsequent run would wait until the home half of the fifth when Keshawn Ogans’ tenth double of the year placed him in scoring position for Eliezel Stevens who would capitalize on the opportunity to put the Braves ahead 1-0.
Perfect through three, Ian Mejia cruised along through the middle innings, punching out a couple and not allowing a baserunner to advance beyond first base until the eighth when a triple from Hickory’s Josh Hatcher put the tying run aboard. Reliever Hayden Harris was unsuccessful in stranding the runner as a sacrifice fly would tie the game.
The Braves were up to the task in the bottom of the eighth however, as three walks following a one out single from Stephen Paolini brought in the game winning run. Harris picked up the win, his first with High-A Rome.
The Braves and the Crawdads await game four of the series which falls on firework Friday. First pitch is set for 7:00 pm EDT.