Double Plays Loom Large in Greensboro’s Shutout of Rome

ROME, Ga – Four hits as a team and a 0-for-6 mark with runners in scoring position paved the way for a Greensboro shutout on Wednesday night to even the series at a game apiece.

Already trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the first inning, Eric Hartman’s two-out single put the Emperors in the hit column but that remained the only tally until Owen Carey’s leadoff single in the fifth. Carey was erased on the bases that inning in the first of three pivotal double plays turned by the ‘Hoppers in the game.

Mason Guerra worked a leadoff walk in the sixth, only to be negated by a 1-4-3 double play the very next at-bat. And, in the eighth, after Carey’s leadoff double and Dixon Williams’ fielder’s choice, Colby Jones failed in his attempt to sac bunt both men over and Guerra, with the force plays still intact, grounded into a 5-4-3 double play the subsequent at-bat.

Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Greensboro marked the sixth shutout of the Emperors this season, tying Jersey Shore and Hub City for the most in the league.

Rome’s pitching benefited from four double plays themselves. The ‘Hoppers registered a dozen hits in the game yet only hit with runners in scoring position 11 times. Aiven Cabral, fresh off his ninth winning decision of the season, logged another 5.0 innings for the Emperors Wednesday, scattering seven hits, walking two, and striking out four. Jacob Shafer, Tyler Schoff, and Justin Long were effective in keeping the deficit manageable for Rome’s lineup. But, in the end, Murf Gray’s three-hit game and Dylan Palmer’s three-hit game did enough to even the series.

Rome is back in action on Thursday. The first pitch between the Emperors and the Grasshopper is set for 6:45PM ET.