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Greenville Shuts Down Rome Hitting, Sweep Braves in Doubleheader

Benjamin Dum pitches in relief for the Rome Braves during their 1-0 loss to Greenville on August 18, 2021. (Mills Fitzner)
August 18, 2021

After yesterday’s rainout forced a doubleheader at State Mutual Stadium, the Rome Braves (40-51) were chomping at the bit to start this week’s six-pack against the Greenville Drive (49-42). However, Greenville came better prepared on Wednesday and stole two wins to open the series in Floyd County. Game 1, Greenville

After yesterday’s rainout forced a doubleheader at State Mutual Stadium, the Rome Braves (40-51) were chomping at the bit to start this week’s six-pack against the Greenville Drive (49-42). However, Greenville came better prepared on Wednesday and stole two wins to open the series in Floyd County.

Game 1, Greenville wins 8-1

The opening game of Wednesday’s doubleheader was not one to remember for the Rome Braves. The home team managed just four hits and two walks in the seven-inning loss.

A one-run second inning and a two-run fourth put the Greenville Drive out in front 3-0. Rome responded with a score the following half-inning, as Jesse Franklin V drove in Michael Harris II from first base with a RBI double, but that is the only run Rome would push across in the game. The Drive battled back with a five-run sixth inning, effectively pulled away for the big victory.

Harris was 2-for-3 with a run scored while Franklin went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. The only other Braves to get aboard were Beau Philip (0-for-2) and Brett Langhorne (0-for-2), as each earned a base on balls.

Starting pitcher Jake McSteen had another good outing. The left-hander gave up just one earned run in four innings on six hits and two walks. McSteen struck out four batters on the day. Unfortunately, three total runs came across with him in the game, handing him the loss and dropping his season record to 1-3. Trey Riley (1IP, 1H), Matt Hartman (2/3 IP, 2H, 3BB, 5ER), and Benjamin Dum (1 1/3 IP, 1H, 1BB, 3K) all pitched in relief.

Game 2, Greenville wins 1-0

A slim loss broke the hearts of R-Braves fans in the doubleheader finale. A lone run in the third inning was all it took to give the Drive a 1-0 victory at State Mutual Stadium.

Stephen Scott’s RBI single in the third drove in Christian Koss to give Greenville the narrow advantage. Thanks to solid pitching by both sides, that would be the only true scoring threat the entire night. Greenville had just three hits on the night while Rome recorded just one base-knock thorough 6 2/3 innings: a ground-ball single for Harris in the bottom of the second.

Down to their last out, pinch hitter Garrett Saunders (1-for-2) tripled to right field. With the tying run 90 feet away, Brett Langhorne battled with a seven-pitch at-bat before striking out swinging to end the game.

Tanner Gordon shined in his first start in Rome since being promoted from Augusta earlier this week. The Illinois native surrendered one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. Gordon registered five K’s of Drive batters as well. Justin Yeager pitched the final inning and added one strikeout.

Up Next

Rome is now 11 games below .500 and continue to fall in the High-A East South standings. The R-Braves are 25 games behind division-leading Bowling Green and sit just one game ahead of sixth-place Asheville. Last-place Winston-Salem is now only 6.5 games behind Rome.

The Rome Braves will host the Greenville Drive on Thursday night for the third of six games this week. Gates will open at 6 p.m. EDT and first pitch at State Mutual Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

Thursday’s daily promotion is Thirsty Thursday. Every Thursday all season long, fans can enjoy 12oz fountain drinks and domestic draft beer for just $2 each. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit RomeBraves.com/Promotions or call the Rome Braves Box Office at 706-378-5144.