Rome Takes Series over Columbus

Rome, GA –The Rome Braves defeated the Columbus Catfish 5-4 at State Mutual Stadium in front of 3,327 fans to take the series three games to one. The win gives Rome a 4-4 record on the young 2008 season.

The Catfish jumped out to an early lead when Emeel Salem led off the first with a triple to center. After two outs, Gregory Sexton hit an RBI infield single to give Columbus a 1-0 lead. The Braves would answer right back in the bottom of the first when Cole Miles got a lead off single and Michael Fisher followed with a single to right, moving Miles to second. Miles then stole third, and Jason Heyward hit a sacrifice fly to right scoring Miles and moving Fisher moved to second. Cody Johnson would ground out moving Fisher to third and Freddie Freeman would double to right scoring Fisher. Concepcion Rodriguez would add a double scoring Freeman to give Rome a 3-1 advantage.

In the bottom of the seventh the Catfish would post three runs to go ahead 4-3 ad Reid Fronk started it off with a double to right and Gregory Sexton added a single to right moving Fronk to third. Maiko Loyola then tripled clearing the bases to tie the game. McCormick then singled to right scoring Loyola and making it a 4-3 game.

Rome would come storming back grabbing the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Heyward and Johnson both drew walks and a double steal put them on second and third. Freddie freeman then hit two run single to center putting the Braves on top and giving Rome a 5-4 victory.

Rome reliever Edgar Osuna gets the win (1-0) after Diamond had a stellar start going six innings, giving up only one run, and striking out five. Yeliar Castro gets the save and Columbus’s Justin Garcia picks up the loss (0-2).

Rome starts their next home stand April 18 with a four game series against Charleston. For ticket information, contact the Rome Braves at 706-378-5144 or log onto www.romebraves.com.