(Media release from the Rome Braves):
The Braves gave it all they had, but a two run ninth was not enough to ride off in the sunset to end the 20th season.
On a day that started with Lucas Braun making his AdventHealth Stadium debut, Rome and Asheville would find themselves locked in a pitchers duel on a steamy Sunday afternoon.
Braun would mow through the Tourists lineup, going five and two thirds of an inning while punching out eight Asheville hitters. The 2023 draftee out of Cal State Northridge would only surrender three runs on three hits, with one coming in the form of a Tourist homer.
The Braves bullpen would keep the offense right where they needed to be, as Shay Schanaman, Rolddy Muñoz, Miguel Pena and Jared Johnson would combine to hurl three and two thirds of an inning of shutout baseball.
Rome would storm back in the late going as a bases loaded Kadon Morton single would score Bryson Worrell and Cory Acton. The Braves would not be able to push across the game’s winning run, forcing the game to the tenth inning.
Asheville would be able to drive across the go-ahead run in the form of an RBI double from Justin Williams, ultimately ending the game.
Rome finishes the season with a 64-68 overall record, and a 34-32 record in the second half. They finish the season an even ten games out of the first place spot in third place.
The 21st season of professional baseball begins on Friday, April 5th, 2024.
