SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Drop Heartbreaker to Intimidators, 4-3

Published on August 25, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - It's not too often that a team can commit five errors and come away the victor. But when you're the South Atlantic's best team, fate seems to be on your side.

That was the case Tuesday night for the Kannapolis Intimidators (75-51, 38-18), who overcame the defensive miscues for a 4-3 victory over the Drive (66-59, 27-30) in front of 3,684 fans at Fluor Field.

Jared Mitchell, the White Sox top selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft at 23rd overall, dropped what would have been the final out of the game on Ryan Lavarnway's fly ball, moving Zach Gentile to third. But Kannapolis closer Dan Remenowsky struckout Will Middlebrooks on a high fastball to secure the win, and earn his 22nd save.

It seemed like déjà vu for the Drive, who once again had a lead through seven innings, only to have the bullpen struggle. Oscar Tejeda's groundout in the bottom of the second pushed across Alex Hassan, and Jeremy Hazelbaker followed by knocking in Ryan Dent with a one-out single, giving Greenville a 2-0 lead.

But the Intimidators quickly answered off starter Fabian Williamson for two runs in the top of the third. The first three batters of the inning all reached base before Williamson recorded a strikeout and a lineout without allowing a run to score. However, Brandon Short delivered the tying hit with a two-run single.

The Drive regained the lead for the southpaw in the bottom of the fifth on Lavarnway's RBI-single. But when Greenville had the bases loaded in the seventh, and was unable to plate a run, it was a sign of bad things to come.

And sure enough, in the top of the eighth the Intimidators scored twice off of Kyle Rutter (0-1) to go up 4-3. The right-hander, who was promoted from Lowell prior to the game, gave up a leadoff double to Kenneth Williams and then a single to Drew Garcia.

Williams represented the tying run when he scored on Short's grounder. But an errant throw by Tejeda, the Drive's only error of the game, proved too costly as Garcia scored on the play.

The Drive and Intimidators meet in game two of their series on Wednesday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Jeremy Kehrt (1-0, 2.75 ERA) will head to the mound for Greenville, as Kannapolis counters with left-hander Charlie Leesman (12-4, 3.40 ERA).

Tomorrow night's game will be highlighted by the recognition of the Summer Reading All-Stars, presented by the Drive, Michelin, and Greenville County Library System. It's also the final game of the Drive's "Playcation: Summer Wind-Up" where fans can get four tickets to the game, and passes to Discovery Island Water Park, the Ice Pavilion, and Paris Mountain State Park for just $25. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

GAME NOTES:

With his 1-for-5 night, Will Middlebrooks extended his hit streak to 10 games...8 of the Drive's 9 batters recorded a hit

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 25, 2009


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