SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Do It All in 4-0 Shutout in Homestand Finale

Published on April 15, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The speedy Drive were at it again on Thursday, wreaking havoc on the base paths for the third straight game. And the pitching wasn't too bad either, as Greenville claimed a 4-0 win for their third straight victory over the Rome Braves.

Wilfredo Pichardo and Reymond Fuentes must have looked like blurs to the Braves, flashing their speed for the games only runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Tallying the Drive's second hit of the ballgame, Pichardo cracked a triple off the rightfield wall. Two batters later, Michael Almanzar scooted single past a drawn-in infield to break a scoreless tie.

On a night when the Drive honored the legacy of Jackie Robinson, it was fitting how Reymond Fuentes scored an inning later. The Red Sox' first rounder from a year ago was hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning, then stole second, and advanced to third and scored on back-to-back wild pitches.

Shaking off his first outing of the season five days ago, Manuel Rivera (1-1) had the Braves off balance over 5.0 innings. The southpaw retired the first nine batters he faced, including six of his nine strikeouts, before surrendering a single to Kyle Rose to start the fourth inning. However, that would be the only baserunner Rivera allowed before giving way to Jeremiah Bayer.

Bayer completed his second save of the season, keeping the shutout in tact with three scoreless innings out of the ‘pen. After allowing a hit to the first batter he faced, the right-hander settled down to strikeout three batters during his outing.

Chris McGuiness and Michael Almanzar gave the Drive a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth with a back-to-back solo homers.

Riding a three-game win streak it will be a positive bus ride to Lexington, KY as the Drive hit the road for eight games - four-game sets with the Legends and West Virginia Power. In the road opener Friday, right-hander Ramon Mendez (0-1, 21.60 ERA) will toe the slab for Greenville as Lexington counters with right-hander Jose Cisnero (0-0, 1.93 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Saturday, April 24th when the begin an 8-game homestand with the same Legends and Power. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

GAME NOTES:

Attendance was 4,703...honoring Jackie Robinson, three members of the Drive wore #42 - manager Billy McMillon, C Mike Thomas, and SS Derrik Gibson...in 2009, the Drive didn't hit back-to-back home runs in a game until their September 11th playoff matchup at Asheville versus the Tourists...during the three-game win streak the Drive starting pitchers of Yeiper Castillo, Drake Britton, and Manuel Rivera struckout 22 batters while only walking 1 (16.0 IP)

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 15, 2010


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