June 11, 2019–8:04 a.m.
KEVIN KAREL
Sporting a former American League Cy Young Award Winner on the mound the Rome Braves broke their eight-game losing skid with a thrilling 1-0 extra-inning victory against the first place Charleston RiverDogs on Monday night.
Making his organizational debut as a member of the Rome Braves the All-Star lefthander was sensational, throwing 7 scoreless innings while allowing only one hit. Keuchel had nine strikeouts and only one walk. He threw 77 pitches and faced only two batters over the minimum.
Both pitching staffs continued to put up zeroes and the game eventually pushed into extra innings. Rome reliever LHP Tanner Lawson came on for Keuchel and had perhaps his best outing of the season. Lawson threw 3 shutout innings, surrendering no hits. He struck out three, walked none and got the win.
The only run of the game came in the Bottom of the 10th inning. With Henry Quintero at second base, Derian Cruz singled into left field. Quintero raced home, beating the throw and ending Rome’s losing streak.
Logan Brown finished his night 1-4 with a double. Griffin Benson was 1-4 with a double. Cruz was 1-4 with a single and the game’s only RBI. Jeremy Fernandez was 1-4.
Rome and Charleston continue their three-game series on Tuesday evening. Game 2 is scheduled for 7 pm at State Mutual Stadium. Rome starts LHP Gabriel Noguera (2-3, 4.03). Charleston will counter with RHP Alexander Vizcaino (3-2, 3.16).
Rome Braves (27-36): 1 R 4 H 0 E
Charleston RiverDogs (34-30): 0 R 1 H 0 E
W: Tanner Lawson (2-2)
L: Carlos Espinal (0-1)
Time: 2:02
Attendance: 3,941
Photo from the Rome Braves