Rome Braves News: July 19 - July 25, 2024

The Rome Emperors, the High-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, have had a mixed bag of results over the past week in the South Atlantic League. Here's a recap of their recent performances:

Salute to Service Saturday: Braun Shines in 2-0 Win

On Salute to Service Saturday, Lucas Braun turned in his longest career outing, guiding the Emperors to a 2-0 victory over the Blue Rocks. Braun's impressive performance on the mound helped secure a crucial win for Rome.

Struggles Against Bowling Green

The Emperors faced a tough series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods, dropping two games. In the first game, Kevin Kilpatrick Jr.'s solo homerun in the third inning was the only offense for Rome as they fell 4-1. Errors in the first inning allowed Bowling Green to take the lead, which they never relinquished. The second game saw Adam Zebrowski's solo homerun in the fourth inning as the Emperors' only offense in a 7-1 loss.

Come-From-Behind Victory Over Greenville

Drew Compton's four-RBI day, including two doubles from both sides of the plate, helped the Emperors secure a series win over the Greenville Drive in come-from-behind fashion. Compton's first double in the first inning scored Workinger and Ceballos, putting Rome ahead 2-0.

Errors Prove Costly Against Greenville

In another game against Greenville, errors haunted the Emperors. A.J. Minter, on a Major League rehab start, struck out the side but allowed one unearned run due to a throwing error from E.J. Exposito. The Emperors ultimately lost 5-3.

Walk-Off Magic Against Greenville

In a thrilling game, the Emperors rallied in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs to walk off the Greenville Drive. Jhancarlos Lara turned in one of his best starts of 2024, tossing a season-high 5.0 innings.

First-Half Championship and Playoff Berth

The Rome Emperors clinched their first-half title and a playoff berth with a 6-4 win over Greenville. Down 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, E.J. Exposito's double sparked a comeback that secured the championship.

Zebo's Walk-Off Homerun

Adam Zebrowski's walk-off solo homerun on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth inning brought the magic number down to one for the first-place Rome Emperors. The game saw starters Drue Hackenberg and Connelly Early begin the night with ten straight zeros.

Shutout Against Winston-Salem

The Emperors were blanked by the Winston-Salem Dash, 5-0, behind a gem from former Braves draft pick Riley Gowens. This marked only the third time Rome had been shut out in 2024.

High-Scoring Affair Against Winston-Salem

In a high-scoring game, the Oat Milkers plated runs in all but two innings, defeating the Winston-Salem Dash 10-6. Ethan Workinger's double in the first inning brought home Sabin Ceballos from second base.

Doubleheader Sweep Against Winston-Salem

The Emperors secured a doubleheader sweep against the Winston-Salem Dash, winning both games 4-0. Four pitchers combined to throw fourteen scoreless innings, with Luis Vargas shining in his 2024 Rome debut.

Mid-Day Loss to Winston-Salem

Rome fell short in a mid-day matchup against the Winston-Salem Dash, ultimately losing the game.

The Rome Emperors have shown resilience and determination throughout the week, with both impressive victories and tough losses. As they continue their journey in the South Atlantic League, fans can expect more exciting performances from this talented team.