July 29, 2019–6:53 a.m.
KEVIN KAREL
Rome’s offense was held to one run on four hits on Sunday as West Virginia’s Devin Sweet threw the first complete game 9 inning start in Power franchise history. The loss is Rome’s first in the three-game series which concludes on Monday afternoon.
Rome starter RHP Odalvi Javier was more impressive than his line indicated as he battled Sweet throughout most of the afternoon but suffered late damage in the 7th and 8th innings when the game became more lopsided.
West Virginia got two runs in the 3rd inning on a Julio Rodriguez home run and Sweet took over, keeping the Rome lineup off balance with his assortment of pitches. Sweet struck out 12 batters and did not issue a walk. He cleared 9 innings on only 104 pitches, 80 of which were for strikes. Rome got its lone run on a solo homer by Drew Campbell in the 6th inning, bringing the home team within a run at 2-1.
The Power got a run back in the 7th and scored two off Javier in the 8th inning to put the game out of reach. They added an unearned run in the 9th against reliever RHP Trey Riley. Javier completed his longest outing of the season at 7.1 innings but suffered the loss. He surrendered five runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking one.
The day belonged to Sweet and he completed his start with two strikeouts in the 9th inning to end the game.
Campbell finished 1-4 with a homer, his first long ball as a pro player. Jeremy Fernandez was 1-3 and Braulio Vasquez went 2-3 with a pair of singles.
Rome and West Virginia conclude their four-game series on Monday afternoon. Game 4 is scheduled for 1 pm from State Mutual Stadium. Rome starts LHP Dilmer Mejia (5-2, 2.71) while West Virginia puts RHP Evan Johnson (0-1, 2.70) on the mound.
Rome Braves (19-18, 49-57): 1 R 4 H 1 E
West Virginia Power (17-20, 54-53): 6 R 10 H 0 E
W: Devin Sweet (5-4)
L: Odalvi Javier (3-7)
Time: 2:16
Attendance: 1,552
