July 30, 2019–7:27 a.m.
KEVIN KAREL
West Virginia defeated Rome 4-3 in extras Monday afternoon, ending the series for the Braves on a lackluster note. Rome was unable to take advantage of an excellent start from lefthander Dilmer Mejia who had one of his best performances of the season.
The 10 inning affair was the second extra-inning game of the series and fourth of the week-long homestand for Rome.
The Braves took an early lead Monday thanks to an RBI single from Shea Langeliers, scoring Drew Campbell and putting Rome up 1-0. West Virginia answered with a long homerun from Julio Rodriguez in the 3rd then took the lead with two runs in the 5th to go up 3-1.
Rome staged a rally in the bottom of the 5th as Campbell and Greg Cullen produced RBI hits, tying it at 3-3. The Braves still had the bases loaded with one out but a double-play grounder ended the threat.
Still tied 3-3, Rome had a chance to walk it off in the 9th but left the winning run in scoring position. West Virginia scored an unearned run off reliever LHP Tanner Lawson in the 10th and won it 4-3 when Rome stranded two more runners in the home half of the inning.
Mejia received a no-decision for 7 innings of work. He allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits and struck out four while walking two.
Campbell was 3-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Jose Bermudez was 2-5 with a double. Braden Shewmake was 0-2 with three walks. Langeliers was 1-4 with an RBI and a walk.
Rome and West Virginia concluded their four-game series with an even split. Rome is off Tuesday and opens a long road trip Wednesday evening in Hagerstown, Maryland against the Suns. Rome and Hagerstown play three games Wednesday-Friday and the Braves then head to West Virginia for another four-game set versus the Power beginning Saturday. Rome’s next home game is August 8th against Augusta.
Rome Braves (19-19, 49-57): 3 R 9 H 2 E
West Virginia Power (18-20, 54-53): 4 R 10 H 0 E
W: Reeves Martin (1-0)
L: Tanner Lawson (3-5)
S: Dayeison Arias (10)
Time: 3:11
Attendance: 1,285