Burgers Drop Game Two To Rome

After a long night and a 7-3 loss in their return home, Hub City and Rome did battle again on Wednesday night with Aj Russell (1-2, 4.05 ERA) going against right hander Ethan Bagwell (1-2, 2.53).

In almost Déjà vu fashion to the opener, the first inning yielded some early offense for the Emperors after a leadoff walk to John Gil, Eric Hartman followed with his 23rd home run of the season, lining a 2-0 pitch off the base of the foul pole. Alex Lodise then singled for his first high A hit, but after Owen Carey struck out, Lodise overslid the bag on a pickoff throw for the 2nd out. Russell would later get out of the inning with a strikeout of Dixon Williams to hold the score at 2-0.

Bagwell had the better of the Burgers’ hitters early, striking out four of the first six he faced. Marcos Torres broke up the no-hit bid to lead off the bottom of the third on an infield single to short, later advancing on a grounder to third from Cal Stark. But, he was left on as Carter Garate flew to left and Casey Cook was rung up.

Russell went two and two-thirds innings, surrendering two earned runs on two hits, a pair of walks, and three strikeouts, giving way to Owen Proksch — who had to work through a jam in his lone full inning.

Mason Guerra started the frame with a single and with one out, designated hitter John Estevez also notched a knock followed by a walk to former Gamecock Colin Burgess, loading the bases. A balk then plated Guerra, advancing all hands ninety feet. However, Proksch struck out Gil and Hartman to leave two in scoring position and hold the damage to just a run.

Hub City broke the shutout in the home half of the 4th when Gleider Figuereo smashed a solo shot to the bullpen. But that was the lone highlight of what was otherwise a three up three down inning to send the game to the fifth with Rome leading 3-1.

Adametz in essence became the sacrificial lamb after an inning and a third from Proksch in which he gave up an unearned run on two hits, a walk, and three strikeouts. Rome ballooned their lead with seven more runs, only five of which were earned on nine hits, two walks, and two strikeouts over three and two-thirds innings from Adametz.

The Burgers had one more chance to plate at least a run in the bottom of the eighth. The inning started with a single from Quincy Scott II that was followed by a walk to Torres. But, after Stark went down swinging, Carter Garate grounded to second, reaching on the play and advancing Scott to third while Torres was forced 4-6. It would all amount to nothing as Cook upgraded to a golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the day.

Rome went on to add two more runs on the 24th homer from Hartman — bookending a 3 for 5, four RBI night in which he also drew a walk and scored four runs. That two-run shot that followed a leadoff walk to Gil made for the final 12-1 margin as the Spartanburgers wasted a leadoff hit by pitch to Maxton Martin in the ensuing half.

Hub City will re-rack ‘em and try again on Thursday night at 6:35 as Kamdyn Perry (0-2, 9.32 ERA) goes up against right hander Luke Sinnard (0-1, 2.30).