SAL1 Greenville Drive

Hits Come in Bunches as Drive Defeat Power, 9-3

Published on April 29, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The first off day of the season was all the Drive (13-8) needed to get back on track, as they opened up a four-game set with the West Virginia Power at Fluor Field Thursday night. Tallying their highest hit total of the season with 16, Greenville pounced on the Power (9-11) by the score of 9-3.

The only negative for the Drive was that for the third time this homestand they allowed their opponent to post runs in the first inning. The Power did so by putting up a two-spot off starting pitcher Yeiper Castillo.

However, after that the young right-hander was almost perfect over his final 3.2 innings, retiring nine consecutive batters before allowing a two-hit single to Bengie Gonzalez and issuing a walk to David Rubenstein in the top of the fifth, bringing an end to Castillo's outing.

The Drive's first run came in the bottom of the third, when a balk by the Power's Melkin Laureano allowed Wilfred Pichardo to trot home. An inning later Reymond Fuentes led raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run when his hit down the rightfield line bounced over the head of Wes Freeman.

After West Virginia regained the lead in the top of the sixth, the Drive answered for three runs in the home half. Dan Butler just missed an opposite field homer when he stroked a triple to right-centerfield, scoring Fuentes. The game's only error, committed by Jesus Brito at third, on Pichardo's grounder allowed Butler to score. Two batters later Chris McGuiness delivered an RBI-single.

Looking for some insurance runs, Greenville pulled away by putting up four runs in the bottom of the eighth. The first four batters of the inning reached base, with Michael Almanzar lacing a two-run double and Shannon Wilkerson adding an RBI-single. The scoring concluded on Ronald Bermudez's RBI-single.

Jordan Flasher (3-0) picked up the victory in relief, allowing a run on a hit and two walks, while fanning four in 2.1 innings. Cesar Cabral was perfect over the final 2.0 innings, striking out three to earn his third save in as many chances.

The Drive and Power continue their four-game series Friday night at Fluor Field with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Kendal Volz (3-0, 3.00 ERA) will toe the slab for Greenville, as West Virginia counters with a familiar face in right-hander Hunter Strickland (0-2, 6.64 ERA). Strickland was a member of the Drive in 2009, appearing in 18 games/12 starts before being traded on July 22nd.

Following Friday night's game, fans will be treated to the second fireworks display of the season. In addition, the musical theme for tomorrow is the sounds of Motown. 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 5,412...8 of the Drive's 9 batters recorded a hit...Ronald Bermudez extended his hit streak to 8 games, hitting .467 (14-for-30) with 3 home runs, 7 RBI, 7 runs scored, and 5 multi-hit games over that span...Derrik Gibson and Bermudez each went 3-for-4.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 29, 2010


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