Tourists Quiet Braves Bats in 7-3 Finale

ASHEVILLE, NC - After scoring 19 runs the previous two nights the Rome offense slowed down on Wednesday evening in the series finale against Asheville, dropping the rubber game 7-3 to the Tourists at McCormick Field.
The loss puts Rome 3 games out of 1st place in the Southern Division with 18 games remaining in the regular season.
Asheville never trailed in the finale, scoring single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings against Rome starter RHP William Woods. The Braves put together a rally in the 4th inning to tie the game at 2-2 thanks to hits from the middle of their order. Braden Shewmake led off with a single up the middle. He scored on an RBI double from Shea Langeliers into the left center field gap. Bryce Ball then singled sharply into left, pushing Langeliers to third base. Michael Harris followed with an RBI groundout to bring in the tying run but the Braves would strand the go-ahead run in scoring position.

The Tourists took the lead back immediately on a two run homer by Cade Harris off Rome reliever RHP Jose Montilla in the Bottom of the 4th and would hold the advantage the rest of the evening. Asheville added three additional runs to go ahead 7-2 in the 7th inning. Rome would manage a final run in the 8th after a throwing error, but trailing 7-3 would never bring the tying run to the plate in the late innings.
Ball finished his night 3-4 and had eight total hits in his debut series with Rome. Langeliers was 1-4 with a double and an RBI. Shewmake was 1-4 with a walk. Jeremy Fernandez was 1-4 with a stolen base.
Woods threw 3 innings and received a no-decision. He allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits. He struck out five and walked two.
Rome continues its road trip with a four game series in Columbia against the Fireflies. Game 1 from Segra Park is scheduled for 7:05 pm Thursday evening. Rome is expected to start RHP Ryan Shetter (3-2, 2.70).