RiverDogs Bite Braves

Rome, GA – The Rome Braves lost to the Charleston RiverDogs 10-7 Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 5,105 fans at State Mutual Stadium to even the series 1-1. The loss ended the Braves’ nine-game home winning streak.

Charleston got on the board early when Mitch Hilligoss led off the game with a single and later scored on a Seth Fortenberry single and a fielding error by Concepcion Rodriguez. Kevin Smith followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Josue Calzado then tripled scoring Fortenberry and Smith for the 3-0 lead. Rome tied the game in the second when Brandon Hicks singled, advanced to second on a grounder by Yohan Silva that was misplayed by Ivan Nova putting runners at first and second. Danny Brezeale then doubled home Hicks making the score 3-1. Silva scored on a groundout by Ernesto Mejia and Brezeale scored on a fielding error to tie the game 3-3.

Rome took the lead in the fourth as Brezeale walked and Mejia hit a two run homer (4) for the 5-3 advantage. Mejia has had seven RBI and three home runs over the last two games for Rome. Charleston responded with two runs in the fifth to tie the game 5-5 when James Cooper walked and scored on a Fortenberry double. Fortenberry later advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Kyle Anson sacrifice fly. The RiverDogs edged ahead in the seventh when Fortenberry walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and crossed the plate on a Calzado single for the 6-5 lead. Rome tied the score once again 6-6 in their half of the frame when Jon Mark Owings singled and scored on a Tyler Flowers double.

Charleston took the lead for good in the eighth as Hilligoss singled, Cooper walked, and both scored on Fortenberry’s double. Smith followed with a single plating Fortenberry for the 9-6 score. Fortenberry had a good night for Charleston going 3 for 4, three RBI, and four runs scored. Charleston added a single run in the ninth and the Braves scored a run in the bottom of the inning for the 10-7 final. Rome had the tying runners on base in the ninth before Charleston pitching shut the door.

Stephen Artz picked up the win (2-0) pitching two innings allowing one run on two hits while striking out two. Cody Railsback is charged with the loss (0-1) giving up four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two in two and two thirds of an inning. Jonathan Hovis came in to get the final two outs to record the save (27).

The Braves continue their series against the Charleston RiverDogs tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. Fans can play Hardball Bingo presented by Savvy Scrubs and 95.7 FM The Ridge. For ticket information call 706-378-5144 or log on to www.romebraves.com.