SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Suffer Walk-Off Loss in Series Finale with Tourists

Published on June 28, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Asheville, NC - The Drive (40-32, 1-3) were poised to come away with a series split versus the Asheville Tourists after Ryan Dent's two-out homer in the top of the ninth, giving Greenville a 4-3 lead.

Asheville (29-44, 3-1) had other ideas, however, securing a 5-4 walk-off win in their final at bat. Jordan Pacheco, who knocked in four of the Tourists runs, played the role of the hero by capping his performance with a bases loaded, two-run double.

The Drive opened the scoring in the top of the first when Zach Gentile led off with a base hit. Jered Stanley worked a one-out walk, and Ty Weeden drove a double into right field, plating Gentile for the first run of the game. Mitch Dening followed with a single of his own, bringing Stanley in to score and making it 2-0 Greenville.

Asheville answered back with a run in their half of the first, when Pacheco brought home Scott Robinson with a one-out single, cutting the Drive lead to 2-1. The Tourists pushed across another run to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third when Pacheco beat out a potential double play for an RBI fielder's choice and his second run driven in of the game.

The Tourists took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth frame on an RBI sacrifice fly by Jimmy Cesario that scored David Christensen from third base.

Greenville tied it up at 3-3 in the top of the eighth inning against reliever Kurt Yacko on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Jered Stanley.

The bullpen blew its second save of the series, as Mike Lee (1-2) surrendered the last two runs of the game. The tall righty gave up four hits and two walks in the final 2-1/3 innings, striking out two.

Stephen Fife, who started for Greenville, saw his earned run average rise to 1.73 after allowing three runs in 6.0 innings. The University of Utah product scattered seven hits and a walk, while fanning four.

After an off day on Monday, the Drive travel across the state of South Carolina for a four-game series at Riley Stadium against the Charleston RiverDogs, the team Greenville finished 1.0 game ahead of for the first half divisional championship.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field and begin the home portion of the second half of the regular season on the Saturday, July 4th. First pitch is set for 6:05 PM as Fluor Field will stay open after the game for fans to view the City of Greenville's fireworks from the field. Single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 28, 2009


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