August 4, 2019–10:07 a.m.
KEVIN KAREL
The Rome Braves traveled to a new city to face a different opponent but their recent offensive struggles continued to persist in a 7-2 loss to the West Virginia Power. The Braves did get a pair of solo homers from Justin Dean and Braden Shewmake in the defeat but mustered little else in their first game this season at Appalachian Power Park.
West Virginia struck for a pair of early runs in the 1st inning against Rome starter Odalvi Javier, who struggled with his command on Saturday evening. Trailing 2-0 in the 4th inning the Braves got a solo homerun from Dean, his sixth homer of the year, cutting it to 2-1. Two batters later Shewmake tied the game with a long solo homer to right field. It was the second long ball of the season and as a pro. But once knotted up 2-2, the Braves offense would go cold.
The Power scored three runs in the bottom of the 4th against Javier, a rally fueled by three walks. Javier was chased after 5 innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits while walking five batters and striking out four. West Virginia added single runs in the 6th and the 8th to win by the final margin of 7-2.
Rome managed only five hits and finished 0-4 with runners in scoring position. They are 4-33 with runners in scoring position during the current road trip.
Dean finished the night 3-4 with a homer and two stolen bases. Shewmake was 1-3 with a solo homer and a walk. Jeremy Fernandez was 1-3 with a single.
Rome and West Virginia continue their four-game series on Sunday afternoon from Appalachian Power Park. First pitch of Game 2 is set for 2:05 pm. Rome starts LHP Dilmer Mejia (5-2, 2.70) while the Power put RHP Evan Johnson (0-1, 3.77) on the mound.
Rome Braves (20-22, 50-61): 2 R 5 H 0 E
West Virginia Power (20-22, 57-55): 7 R 11 H 0 E
W: Devin Sweet (6-4)
L: Odalvi Javier (3-8)
Time: 2:24
Attendance: 2,247
