(Media release from the Rome Emperors):
Exposito’s league-leading eighth homerun of the season and Stephen Paolini’s 3-run double solidified a series split with Brooklyn in Sunday’s 8-2 victory.
E.J.’s homer snuck out of AdventHealth Stadium, bouncing off the top of the left field wall and carrying over into the home bullpen. The 1-0 lead thanks to Expo would quadruple in the fourth on Stephen Paolini’s third double of the series which brought home Clarno, Kilpatrick, and Zebrowksi.
Brooklyn cut into the lead with a two-run top of the fourth inning. Lucas Braun limited the damage done in the inning and turned in one of his best starts of 2024. Earning the win, Braun went 5.2 innings, scattered five hits, and struck out a season-high eight Cyclones. Chad Bryant and Jared Johnson were the only two relievers needed in game six. Together they struck out six and allowed just one hit.
Singles from Janas, Clarno, and Arroyo coupled with a Nick Ward Double plated three key insurance runs in the sixth. A bases loaded walk to Clarno in the seventh brought home another and cemented Rome’s 8-2 win.
The first-place Emperors head to Asheville for a seven game series, beginning Tuesday at 11:00am EDT.
