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Greenville Drive

Drive Drop Fourth Straight with 8-2 Loss to Grasshoppers

August 13, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - A change of scenery did not help the Drive. After dropping the final three games of their road trip, Greenville (59-54, 20-25) hoped a return to familiar Fluor Field would help them get back on track.

Unfortunately, the bullpen's struggles continued, giving up five runs over the final four innings as the Greensboro Grasshoppers (53-62, 16-29) picked up an 8-2 win Thursday night in the series opener.

The Drive struck for the game's first run when Ryan Lavarnway and Ty Weeden hit back-to-back, two-out doubles in the bottom of the first. It did not take long for Greensboro to answer, as Ryan Keedy homered off Caleb Clay (4-5) to leadoff the second.

Following another Grasshoppers run in the top of the third, the Drive tied the game as Lavarnway tallied a two-out, RBI-single. However, that would be Greenville's final run of the game.

With a run in the top of the fourth, their third consecutive inning with a run, the Grasshoppers grabbed hold of a lead they would not relinquish. Sandy Rosario (1-0) closed out his outing by sitting down four straight batters before allowing a single to Mitch Dening, bringing an end to his evening.

Over the final three and two-thirds innings, the Drive couldn't even sniff a base as three Greensboro relievers were perfect over that span. Brandon Todd, a former South Carolina Gamecock, struckout three of the four batters he faced. Jared Yecker and Pete Andrelyczyk each added an inning.

Greenville's bullpen, however, was a stark contrast from Greensboro's. The Drive's deficit went from one run to five runs in a hurry, as Felix Ventura surrendered two runs each in the sixth and seventh innings.

Thomas Hickman provided the power in the sixth with a two-run homer, and Keedy knocked in both runs in the seventh with a one-out single. The Grasshoppers added an insurance run in the eighth off Chad Povich, as Smelin Perez delivered an RBI-single.

The Drive and Grasshoppers meet in the second contest of their four-game series Friday night with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Mike Lee (3-4, 3.68 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, as Greensboro counters with right-hander Graham Johnson (5-6, 5.22 ERA).

Following Friday night's game, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

NOTES:

Attendance was 5,834...with his 1-for-4 night, Mitch Dening extended his hit streak to 11 games...the Greenville bullpen has surrendered 24 runs over their last 18-2/3 innings (11.57 ERA)

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 13, 2009


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