Tourists Take Another from Braves

Rome, GA – The Asheville Tourists defeated the Rome Braves 6-3 Friday night in front of 3,475 fans after a one hour and fourteen minute rain delay.

The Tourists took the lead in the first inning when leadoff batter Everth Cabrera singled and later scored on a throwing error for the 1-0 lead. The second run of the inning came when Michael Mitchell scored on an RBI groundout to go up 2-0. Rome would answer back with a run of their own in the bottom of the first when Cole Miles singled, stole second and then later scored on a fielding error to make the score 2-1. Asheville would add four runs in the third inning highlighted by a Jeffrey Cunningham two RBI double and a Kevin Clark RBI double for the 6-1 score. Rome added two runs in the eighth when Chad Lundahl doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by CJ Lee. The other run scored on an RBI single by Freddie Freeman but Asheville pitching held Rome the rest of the way for the 6-3 final.

Bruce Billings (4-3) gets the win for Asheville, Craig Rodriguez (1) the save, and Cole Rohrbough (0-1) takes the loss for the Braves. Tommy Palica pitched well in relief for the Braves going three innings giving up only one hit while striking out four batters.

John Smoltz is expected to pitch for the Braves tomorrow night in relief for his last appearance before rejoining the Atlanta team.

Rome takes on the Tourists again tomorrow at 7 PM. The Wild and Crazy Rally will entertain fans presented by WRGA. For ticket information, contact the Rome Braves at 706-378-5144 or log onto www.romebraves.com.