Augusta GreenJackets topple Rome Braves

An 0-for-3 game on July dropped Augusta GreenJackets catcher Nick Conte's batting average to .179. After a 3-for-3 night Wednesday, Conte's average was up to .241 - the highest it's been since the middle of April.

Conte has been working with manager Roberto Kelly and hitting coach Jerry Browne and the work paid off in the GreenJackets' 4-1 win on Wednesday against the Rome Braves at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

The win pulled the GreenJackets (19-19) into a three-way tie for second place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division. Augusta, Columbus and Savannah are all 31 games back of first-place Kannapolis.

Kelly said that he and Browne got Conte to switch to a lighter bat and to finish his swing.

"There were a couple of physical things that changed," Conte said, "but mostly just my overall mental approach."

On Wednesday, Conte helped the GreenJackets in several ways. He had three singles and an RBI, helped starter Anthony Pannone get out of a jam by throwing a runner out at second in the fifth and stopped short of second base in the sixth to allow a run to score.

Conte has recorded a hit in his past seven games, and Wednesday was his third three-hit game during that stretch.

Pannone (1-0) lasted at least five innings for his second consecutive start. The right-hander, who moved from the bullpen to the rotation when Mike Musgrave went on the disabled list, gave up an unearned run on six hits while striking out four.

"The difference between (Pannone) and maybe the younger guys in the league, is he can throw strikes with his off-speed pitches, which keeps the batters off-balance," Conte said.

Brian Horwitz extended his hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI double in the GreenJackets' two-run first inning, while Conte added an RBI single in fourth. Pannone appreciated the run support, which got him his first win as a GreenJacket, but said he doesn't think too much about what kind of lead he has in a game.

"I honestly just try to go out there and throw good pitches, especially now because I'm older and I know what I'm trying to do," said the 24-year-old.

He made enough of them Wednesday. The only run the Braves (18-20) scored came in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly off reliver Arnoldo Mercado. And the GreenJackets answered right back in the bottom of the inning.

With Lisandro Disla batting, Jason Columbus on third and two out, Conte attempted to steal second and drew a throw from catcher Clint Sammons.

"When I saw that the throw was on line and that I was short, I just stopped," Conte said.

Columbus took off for home and shortstop Bo Brown threw to Sammons. The catcher had Columbus out at the plate, but lost the ball out of his glove and Augusta took a 4-1 lead.

NOTE: Center fielder Alex Requena had his appendix removed Monday night in Charleston, and Kelly said he is not sure how long Requena will be out.

Reach Kristy Shonka at (706) 823-3216 or kristy.shonka@augustachronicle.com