Braxton Davidson hit a two-run homer and Zach Quintana scattered eight hits in a complete-game victory as the Rome Braves defeated the Lexington Legends 8-2 in the first game of a doubleheader.
In the second game, a run-scoring single by Omar Obregon in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a 2-2 tie and the Braves went on to a 3-2 victory to complete the sweep.
South Atlantic League doubleheader games are a regulation seven innings in length.
The Legends opened the scoring in the second inning of the first game when Brandon Downes tripled and scored on a single by Samir Duenez. Rome tied the game in the bottom of the second on a leadoff double by Leudys Baez, a ground out, and a run-scoring single by Matt Tellor.
Rome took the lead for good in the third. Omar Obregon singled and moved to second on an error by Duenez, the first baseman, on a pickoff attempt. Wigberto Nevarez doubled, scoring Obregon and after Tanner Murphy grounded out, Davidson homered to left center, giving Rome a 4-1 lead.
The Braves added four more runs in the fourth. A single to right field by Tellor and an infield hit by Erison Mendez put runners at first and second. Stephen Gaylor bunted for a hit, and when pitcher Corey Ray committed a throwing error, Tellor scored, Mendez went to third and Gaylor to second. After Obregon grounded out to first, Nevarez delivered a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Mendez. Gaylor then stole second and scored on a double by Murphy. Davidson’s single drove in Murphy, and the Braves had an 8-1 lead.
The Legends scored a run in the seventh on a single by Luis Valenzuela, a wild pitch and a single by Austin Bailey.
Quintana (4-4) allowed scattered eight hits in seven innings..
Ray (4-6) was the losing pitcher.
In the second game, Rome scored single runs in the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead.
The Legends evened the score in the fourth. Corey Toups led off with a double and advanced to third after Valenzuela flied out to center field. After Chad Johnson walked, Wander Franco reached first base on a fielder’s choice after grounding to Nevarez at third, and Toups scored on the play as Johnson moved to second. Anderson Miller’s single loaded the bases, and Chase Vallot’s two-out single brought Johnson home with the tying run. The score remained 2-2 until Obregon’s hit in the sixth scored Tellor, who had led off with a single and moved to second on an error by pitcher Colin Rodgers on a ball hit by Mendez.
Felix Marte (1-1) got the win in relief. Rodgers (3-8), the Legends’ starter, was the losing pitcher.
The Legends and Braves will wrap up the four-game series Sunday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
Attendance 3,662