June 16, 2021–7:39 a.m.
ROME BRAVES
Touki Toussaint made his first rehab appearance of the 2021 season at State Mutual Stadium on Tuesday night, his first official outing in 85 days. Rome (19-18) dropped its opener to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (25-12), 7-3.It was Toussaint’s first appearance since a Spring Training game versus the Minnesota Twins on March 22. Through three innings, Toussaint gave up one run (a home run in the second inning), one hit, one walk, and struck out two batters on just 28 pitches.
He made quick work of the High-A East League’s best team, the Bowling Green Hot Rods in the first inning. In just eight pitches, Toussaint induced three ground ball-outs. In the second inning, the Hot Rods’ Evan Edwards launched his fourth homer of the year to give Bowling Green the lead, 1-0. Toussaint came out in the third inning and set down the Hot Rods in order.
In the bottom of the second, Rome was able to knot the score a 1-1 behind an RBI single from Jesse Franklin V, scoring Bryce Ball.
The Hot Rods reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning off RBI singles from Niko Hulsizer and Connor Hollis making it a 3-1 lead. Franklin V shaved the deficit with his team-leading sixth homer of the year, a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth, 3-2.
Bowling Green erupted for four runs in the fifth using a three-run double from Hulsizer, extending the Hot Rods’ lead to 7-2. At the bottom of the fifth, Andrew Moritz delivered an RBI single, scoring Beau Philip, but it proved to not be enough.
Rome continues the series against the Hot Rods tomorrow at 1 p.m. Wednesday’s game will be another all-you-can-eat Wednesday, which features unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, and soda starting at just $36. For more information or to purchase the ticket package, visit romebraves.com/promotions.