Game four of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played in front of 2,382 fans Monday evening  at Grayson Stadium. Sand Gnats regrouped came away with a 5-1 defeat of the Braves.

The Braves scored their lone run in the 2nd inning, when a ground ball was mishandled by shortstop Gavin Cecchini for an error, that allowed the Braves to load the bases.  The pursuing batter grounded into a force out and the runner at third scored.  Sand Gnats starter Kevin McGowan would then shut the door and not allow another run.  The right hander tossed 5.2 innings, allowing an unearned run on six hits, with four walks, and five strikeouts.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Savannah tied the score when left fielder Stefan Sabol hit a home run over the left field wall for his team leading fifth home run and 25th RBI’s on the season.

Savannah scored four more runs in the 6th inning, when Sabol, first baseman Dominic Smith and DH Jon Leroux walked to load the bases. Sabol would score on a wild pitch, then a single by catcher Jeff Glenn scored Smith with the second run of the inning. Gavin Cecchini drove in two more runs when he hit a chopper to third and the third baseman Carlos Franco, was charged with a fielding error.

Dominic Smith was 2-for-3 and continues his hot hitting (6 for 10) in his last three games. Cecchini doubled in the 3rd inning to extend his hitting streak to eight games.

Reliever Akeel Morris had another solid performance pitching 1.2 innings, giving up two walks, striking out two and earned his third win on the season.