What started out as a good old-fashioned pitchers duel was blown wide open by the Columbia Fireflies Friday night, in a 5-1 win over the Rome Braves.
Ricardo Sanchez picked up the loss for the Braves, who pitched well, but gave up a lead off double in the seventh that started the five-run inning for the Fireflies. Sanchez was removed with the bases loaded that same inning, spoiling a solid start. His final line was three runs on one hit in five innings. Sanchez struck out four and walked six in the game.
Shae Simmons actually started the game for Rome, getting in some rehab work. He had a scoreless, hitless inning of work, giving up no walks.
The Braves ran up against a buzzsaw in Columbia’s Joe Shaw, who picked up his sixth win of the year, giving up only one run on four hits, striking out six, and walking only one batter in eight innings of work.
For the offense, not much production after a first inning run when Ray-Patrick Didder scored on an RBI hit from Justin Ellison. There were only four Rome hits in the game, each by different batters.
For a full recap from the Rome Braves, click HERE.
