Rome Braves Swept by Lexington In Playoffs

It was clear going into the best-of-three division championship series that the Rome Braves had their work cut out for them if they wanted to advance to the next round. After all, the Rome roster had been steadily depleted by promotions and trades since they clinched a playoff berth by winning the first-half division race. At the same time, an already good Lexington team did nothing but supplement their roster with talent from the latest draft.

This played out essentially as anticipated as Lexington won the first two games of the series and sweeping Rome out of the playoffs. Legends pitching was dominant, allowing only one run over the two games. Rome starters Alan Rangel and Walter Borkovich held their own, but could get no run support from a completely stymied Rome offense that batted .167 with runners in scoring position or from the defense that made critical errors in each of the games.

*Lexington LHP Daniel Lynch was impressive in 4 innings against Rome. (Andy Harris/OFR)*

On Wednesday in Lexington, Legends started Jackson Kower allowed 6 baserunners in his five innings of work, including a Hagen Owenby solo home run that accounted for all of Rome’s scoring in the series, but managed to get a key strikeout whenever the Braves threatened. In many ways, Rangel outpitched Kower, going six innings and generating 9 strikeouts, but a fielding error by Owenby on the first play of the game put a baserunner on that eventually scored. A solo home run by Legends first baseman Nick Pratto would seal the game.

The series resumed on Friday night with Legends starter Daniel Lynch and three relievers combining on a 6-hit shutout. Rome starter Walter Borkovich was sharp as well, but like Rangel was let down by a defensive miscue. With the score 1-0 Lexington in the 4th inning, Legends outfielder Brewer Hicklen hit a ground-rule double with two out. The next batter hit a sharp grounder to second baseman Kevin Josephina, who could not field it cleanly to make the force out. Josephina was upset at not making the play and didn’t notice that Hicklen had never stopped running after getting to third base and threw home too late to prevent the run from scoring.

*RHP Walter Borkovich pitches from Rome on September 8, 2018. (Andy Harris/OFR)*

The game was still a manageable 2-0 when rehabbing right-hander Jose Ramirez came on in the 8th inning. After getting a quick ground out, Ramirez allowed a long triple to Kyle Isbel that just missed leaving the park. Catcher MJ Melendez quickly followed with a single to drive in Isbel. Pratto walked, and Hicklen was up again and hit the second long triple of the inning and clearing the bases. Manny Olloque followed with a double and Ramirez was chased from the game. Brooks Wilson got two quick outs to end the inning, but the damage had been done.

Ramirez was throwing his fastball in the low-90s without movement, and even A-ball hitters, especially talented ones that make up the Legends line-up, can take advantage of that kind of pitching.

Despite the disappointing performance, it was a fine season for Rome, who made the postseason for only the fifth time since moving from Macon before the 2003 season. Several key players of the team should move up to advanced-A Florida for the 2019 season, while others will return next season to form a core of talent with the best players from the Danville and GCL Braves that should give Rome another shot a playoff run.