Rome 3, Savannah 2

Shayne Moody’s ninth-inning single allowed pinch runner Samuel Sime to slide around the tag of Jean Luc Blaquiere for the game-winning run as the Rome Braves topped the Savannah Sand Gnats, 3-2, at State Mutual Stadium Tuesday night. Wilmer Flores led the Gnats offense as he went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Jake Goldberg (1-2) was called upon to pitch the ninth for Savannah and Braeden Schlehuber led off the inning with a single just out of the reach of second baseman Imbewer Alvarez. Calvin Culver, who gave the Braves their initial lead in the fifth, laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the pinch runner Sime to second with one out. Goldberg walked pinch hitter Matt Kennelly to set up the walk-off single by Moody.

It was a pitcher’s duel through the first four innings as Gnats starter Kyle Allen did not permit a hit in his first four innings of duty. Adam Coe and Schlehuber singled back-to-back to start the fifth before the double by Culver cleared the bases. Allen was removed from the game after permitting two runs on three hits in 4.1 innings.

Savannah would make its comeback in the eighth thanks to a poor play in the field by the centerfielder Culver. With Evan LeBlanc on second and Raul Reyes on first, Flores delivered a hit into center field that Culver misplayed off his glove. LeBlanc scored easily from second but Culver’s throw to third to try and cut down Reyes was down the line. Reyes turned towards home and scored the game’s tying run.

Still with one away, the Gnats had a chance to take the lead with Flores on second. Rome brought in Clayton McMillian to face Sean Ratliff, who grounded out to move Flores to third. After another pitching change brought RHP Paul Clemens in to face the righty Josh Satin, Satin grounded out to Omar Infante to end the inning.

Clemens (6-5) earned the win in relief for Rome. Major league reliever Buddy Carlyle threw two innings and allowed one hit while striking out one. Infante was 1-for-3 with a walk in his first rehab game.