Burgers Drop Game Three to Rome

Hub City came into Thursday’s game three still searching for a win in this series. Kamdyn Perry (0-2, 9.30 ERA) was paired opposite right hander Luke Sinnard (0-1, 2.30) to try and make it happen.

The series has been marked by the Burgers’ starting pitching struggling — leading to being in 3 or more run holes before the offense records an at-bat. Tonight was no different. Kamdyn Perry did not make it out of the first inning, going just two-thirds and facing eight batters. His line would end at four earned runs on three hits, a walk, and a strikeout thanks to Josh Sanders getting a pop up to second to get out of the frame. But, Rome sent nine to the dish to take a commanding 4-0 lead before Hub City’s ever came to the plate.

Casey Cook was hit on the foot to start the bottom of the first and with one out, Gleider Figuereo worked a walk. But, any chance to cut into the deficit was killed when Luke Hanson grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Rome would add on in the ensuing half, once again sending more than half the lineup to the dish. Eric Hartman drew a walk and later stole second, scoring on a single from Alex Lodise. With one out, Dixon Williams mashed a two-run shot off the face of the scoreboard in right, making it 7-0 heading to the bottom of the second.

Things got off to a promising start there for the Spartanburgers with three straight base hits from Antonis Macias, Marcos Torres, and Quincy Scott II. But, the bases-loaded, no out situation amounted to just one run, coming on a 4-3 twin killing off the bat of Esteban Mejia. Arturo De Freitas then grounded out to second to send the game to the third with Rome up 7-1.

After Sanders turned in the first clean inning of the game for either side, Hub City threatened with the bases loaded in the home half. Maxton Martin drew a one out walk and with two away, Hanson and Macias drew consecutive free passes. But, nothing came of it as Torres grounded out to second, keeping it a six-run deficit.

Sanders went one more frame, working around a one out base knock from Lodise, and in the next half, the Burgers finally broke through with runners in scoring position. Esteban Mejia singled with one out, later forced on a fielder’s choice Arturo De Freitas reached on. Cook then drew a walk ahead of an RBI knock from Martin. Figuereo followed with another RBI single, but Martin was caught between second and third on the play to end the inning. However, Hub City was back within a grand slam going to the fifth.

Luke Savage came on, and sadly the deficit would stretch back out thanks to an error. With one away, Dallas Macias reached on a routine two-hopper that skipped under the glove of Figuereo. Colby Jones followed with a single, and with two out, Mac Guscette doubled to the right field corner to plate them both. Hartman flew out to left to retire the side, however the Burgers were back down six.

The Emperors tacked on another in the top of the seventh after consecutive two-baggers off Anthony Susac from Mason Guerra and Dallas Macias. With two out, Guscette was walked, but Hartman whiffed, sending the game to the stretch with Rome leading 10-3.

The Burgers fought back in the bottom of the seventh, starting a rally with a base hit from Martin. With one down, Hanson drew a walk, and a wild pitch moved both runners up ninety feet. Antonis Macias capitalized on it with a two-run single. Scott and Mejia notched back to back knocks with two out to load the bases, however De Freitas whiffed to leave them full with Rome up 10-5.

Hub City chipped another off in the eighth after Cook was plunked on the foot for the second time. Martin then popped up into the Bermuda Triangle in center. The ball dropped, but Cook, waiting to see if it was caught, was forced on the play, allowing Martin to reach. After a wild pitch and a passed ball back to back, Hanson notched an RBI single. Antonis Macias followed with a knock, but Torres was retired on strikes to leave them aboard.

Rome got it back on a leadoff solo shot off the batter’s eye from Guerra. But, J’Briell Easley was able to retire the next three with a pair of strikeouts along the way to take it to the bottom of the ninth with the Burgers down 11-7.

Quincy Scott II finally notched Hub City’s first extra base hit of the game, leading off the final frame with a solo homer into the bullpen.  De Freitas walked to follow it and Cook was hit by a pitch. With two out, Figuereo walked to load the bases for Hanson, who also worked a free pass to plate a run. Unfortunately, the walkoff grand slam hoped for would not happen as Antonis Macias grounded out unassisted to seal the 11-8 win for Rome and the Burgers’ fourth straight loss.

The series rolls on Friday night as Braves top prospect Cam Caminiti faces Caden Scarborough. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.