(Media release from the Rome Braves):
For just the third time this season, the Braves tallied double-digit hits in their 9-4 victory over the Asheville Tourists with a little help from Atlanta Brave Ehire Adrianza.
Facing a three-run deficit in the bottom of the second inning, back-to-back doubles from the likes of Brandol Mezquita and Kadon Morton brought in Rome’s first run of the ballgame. Singles from Kilpatrick Jr. and the rehabbing Adrianza plated a couple more to tie the game.
Six walks issued by the Tourists pitching staff between the fifth and sixth innings spelled trouble for Asheville. With Baldwin and Quintero aboard, Keshawn Ogans singled through the right side to tack-on a run in the fifth. Then, with the bases loaded in the sixth, Adrianza registered his second RBI of the night on a sacrifice fly to left. Quintero followed suit with a sac fly of his own a few pitches later to extend Rome’s lead to 6-4.
Four hits in the home half of the seventh, including a Drake Baldwin two-bagger, pushed the Braves lead to 9-4 where it would stay the rest of the night. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. scored three times and logged his first High-A three-hit game.
The game’s winning pitcher, Luis Vargas, worked 5.2 innings of one run baseball in relief of starter Rolddy Munoz. Vargas scattered six hits and struck out four en route to the victory, his second of the season. Ronaldo Alesandro and Jonathan Hughes sealed the deal with their combined 2.1 innings to retire the Tourists lineup for the night.
The Braves kick off the weekend with a 7:00 pm EDT first pitch against the Tourists Friday evening.
