Braves open trip to Hot Rods with win

A big second inning helped the Rome Braves open a sixgame road set at Bowling Green on a positive note in a 6-0 win Tuesday night.

Rome (23-23) erupted for five runs in the top of the second, with Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. and Nacho Alvarez dealing the big blows on a pair of two-run singles.

The Braves’ bats eventually added one more insurance run in the fifth and the pitching staff took care of the rest in a shutout of the Hot Rods (19-23).

Cedric De Grandpre had a stellar debut on the mound for Rome after being called up from Low-a Augusta prior to Tuesday’s series opener. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed no runs on four hits with four strikeouts to grab his first win with Rome.

Miguel Pena also had a strong debut with the Braves after being sent down from Mississippi. He pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and gave up just one hit while striking out three.

Rob Griswold covered the final two frames out of the bullpen and didn’t allow a run on three hits with four strikeouts

The Braves’ pitching trio combined to issue zero walks in the win.

Offensively, Alvarez finished 2-for-3 with two RBIS and two walks to lead the Braves’ bats. Kilpatrick added a hit, two RBIS and a run scored, while Geraldo Quintero contributed a double, an RBI and two runs scored.

Kadon Morton also had a hit and an RBI, while David Mccabe — another addition to the roster from Augusta on Tuesday — was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Bryson Horne chipped in with a hit and scored a run, with Brandon Parker drawing three walks and scoring a run.

ROSTER MOVES

Along with De Grandpre, Pena and Mccabe joining the club Tuesday, there were multiple other transactions. Pitcher Nick Howard was promoted to Double-a Mississippi, while pitcher Ronaldo Alesandro and second baseman Cory Acton were sent to Low-a Augusta. Pitcher Roel Ramirez was also assigned to Rome from Triplea Gwinnett.