Rangel Leads Braves to 4-1 Win on Friday Night

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Braves got terrific pitching, led by starter RHP Alan Rangel, and defeated the Asheville Tourists 4-1 on Friday, keeping them in first place in the Southern Division.
Rangel spun 6 innings and allowed only one run on four hits. The righty had eight strikeouts and two walks while earning his 9th win of the season in arguably the best hitters' park in the South Atlantic League. Rome relievers RHP Kasey Kalich and Luis Mora combined for 3 shutout frames to close it out for Rome and even the series at one game apiece.
The Braves were opportunistic on offense in the early going. In the 1st inning Rome got a run without a hit thanks to two walks, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly from Shea Langeliers to make it 1-0.

Rome added two more runs in the 2nd inning. Jeremy Fernandez ripped an RBI single up the middle to bring in a tally and Braulio Vasquez later scored on a wild pitch.
Rangel kept the Tourists off the board until the 6th when a run scored on an RBI single from Grant Lavigne. Rangel ended the rally with a strikeout.
Leading by two I nthe 7th inning the Braves got their final run on an RBI double down the left field line from Shea Langeliers to score Justin Dean. The bullpen did the rest.
Fernandez finished the night going 3-4 with an RBI. Langeliers was 2-4 with a double and two RBI. Vasquez was 2-3 with a double and a walk. Dean went 0-2 with three walks, two runs scored and a stolen base.
Rome and Asheville continue their four game series Saturday night at McCormick Field. First pitch of Game 3 is scheduled for 6:05 pm. Rome will start LHP Gabriel Noguera (4-4, 3.33) while Asheville puts LHP Nick Bush (4-8, 5.12) on the mound.