Indians Continue to Roll
Rome wins sixth straight

by Scott Montesano
Rome Indians Marketing Intern

(Rome, NY) Joe Brown struck out 12 batters over eight innings as the Rome Indians defeated the Watertown Wizards 7-4 Wednesday night at Larry DeLutis Field.

After walking three batters in the first inning, Brown settled down to improve his personal record to 2-0. Brown allowed no-hits following the third inning, and at one point retired 18 consecutive Watertown hitters.

Brown's performance was very similar to his previous outing, June 28th at Plattsburgh. In that game the Trinity University standout, struggled with his control early before dominating Plattsburgh hitters.

Despite Brown's effort on the mound, the Indians actually found themselves trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the third. It was in the third inning that the Indians finally were able to get to Watertown starter Mark Garrad. Jeremy O'Neill doubled with one-out and then moved to third on a wild pitch.

After Cory Newman walked, Kevin Ryan put the Indians on the board with a sacrifice fly to leftfield.

The Indians eventually tied the game in the fifth, on a sacrifice fly by Newman that plated Terron Acuff.

In the sixth inning Rome took the lead for good on a squeeze bunt by Andrew Buffington, and a RBI fielder's choice by Terron Acuff to make it 4-2 Indians. An RBI single in the seventh by Kyle Barrett and a two-run double by Terron Acuff in the eighth provided insurance for the Indians.

Watertown tacked on a couple of meaningless runs in the top of the ninth off of Rome reliever Gary Tarantino. This was Tarantino's first appearance of the season.

Wednesday's win is Rome's sixth consecutive, and moves the team two games behind first place Schenectady. Rome plays a doubleheader at Schenectady on Friday.

Box Scores

Watertown	101	000	002	-	4	4	3
Rome	001	012	12	-	7	7	0

WP: Joe Brown (2-1)
LP: Mark Garrad (1-2)

2B: Rome: Acuff, O'Neill

LOB - Watertown: 3
         - Rome: 10

Rome (12-8) Watertown (10-15)