Press Release:
ROME, GA – Zach Rheams and Matt Winaker each recorded three hits on Thursday at State Mutual Stadium. However, the Braves outlasted the Fireflies 14-5 in a slugfest. Rheams also drove in three runs and Winaker scored three times.
Rome jumped on Columbia early with eight runs in the first two innings. Down 8-1 in the third, Hansel Moreno provided a quick spark for the visitors. The 21-year-old crushed his second home run of the season – a solo shot off the left-field foul pole. The Fireflies added a second run in the frame when Rheams knocked in Winaker with a single. The home team plated one run in the bottom half and led 9-3 after three stanzas.
SCORING SUMMARY (From Fourth to Ninth Inning)
Top 5: Rheams drove in Moreno with a groundout. Jose Brizuela singled and, on the same play, Winaker scored on an error from second baseman Derian Cruz. ROM 9-5
Bottom 6: William Contreras, Jean Carlos Encarnacion, and Derian Cruz each produced run-scoring hits. ROM 12-5
Bottom 7: Contreras smashed a two-run double, scoring Greyson Jenista and Brendan Venter. ROM 14-5
Contreras finished with four hits and five RBIs on Thursday evening.
Zac Grotz (L, 1-4) made his seventh start of the season and lasted five innings. The righty allowed six earned runs on 12 hits, but did not give up a run in his final two frames. Joshua Payne tossed a scoreless eighth and registered one strikeout.
OF Matt Winaker has had a solid season, after a slow April, hitting .260 with a .375 OBP and 6 homers in 221 at bats since. Just 22, he could be ready for a sharp move higher.
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