Stephens Homers Again, Braves Win

ROME, GA – The Rome Braves are back in the win column thanks to stellar pen work and a hot bat from Landon Stephens.

Hudson Valley would get on the board first thanks to an RBI single from Cooper Bowman, but Rome's Landon Stephens, the South Atlantic League leader in home runs, would belt his fourth homer of the year into the left field trees to knot the game up at one.

Hudson Valley would jump back on top in the top of the third with sacrifice flies from both Cooper Bowman and Tyler Hardman. This would put Hudson Valley up by two. A Tyler Tolve RBI double would draw Rome within one, then Drew Campbell would ground into a double play with the bases loaded to tie the game at three.

The go-ahead run would come in the form of a throwing error from Hudson Valley’s catcher Carlos Narvaez. Justyn-Henry Malloy would cross the plate as the fourth and final run for Rome thanks to the botched pickoff attempt.

Andrew Hoffmann would go five full innings, giving up three runs with only two of them earned. The Braves’ bullpen would be the star of the show. Malcolm Van Buren and Rolddy Munoz would combine for three scoreless innings, setting it up for Austin Smith to slam the door for his second save of the season.

Rome and Hudson Valley continue the back and forth fun at AdventHealth Stadium on Saturday night with first pitch slated for 6:00pm.