(Media release from the Rome Braves):
Game one of Rome’s final homestand belonged to Jorge Bautista and Tyree Thompson whose 14 combined strikeouts silenced Asheville’s lineup Tuesday night.
A walk and a single in the top of the first gave the Tourists the early 1-0 advantage but Rome was quick to respond in the home half. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. worked his team leading 65th walk of the season and stole his 29th bag before Geraldo Quintero doubled him in. Two batters later Keshawn Ogans singled through the left side to bring in another.
Jorge Bautista retired 13 straight Tourists across innings 2-thru-5 and struck out eight on his way out. After five zeros from Bautista, it was Tyree Thompson’s turn on the slab. Thompson struck out six Asheville hitters in three innings and did not allow a baserunner. He came within a strike of an immaculate inning in the eighth.
Kilpatrick’s double in the fifth paired with Kadon Morton’s walk put a couple on for David McCabe who made it a 4-1 lead for the Braves. Rome had a prime opportunity to put game one out of reach with the bases loaded in the seventh but only managed to push one across after a walk to Ogans. Both McCabe and Zebrowski finished with two hits apiece in the 5-1 win.
At 62-65, Rome can finish above .500 with a series sweep of the Asheville Tourists. That quest continues Wednesday at 7:00 pm EDT.
