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Greenville Drive

Almanzar Comes Through, Lifts Drive to Thrilling 1-0 Win

May 25, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


One day after the Drive (23-23) offense didn't come alive until the ninth inning, the Drive played a game where they didn't score in the first eight innings.

This time, all it took was one run.

In a classic pitchers' duel that saw just nine hits for both teams combined, Derrik Gibson scored the decisive run in the ninth inning to give Greenville a 1-0 victory over the Charleston RiverDogs (19-27).

Ben Watkins (2-2) quickly got the first two batters out in the ninth inning before Gibson singled to deep short. Gibson stole second during Chris McGuiness's at-bat, and a wild pitch on an intentional ball moved him to third. RiverDogs third baseman Rob Lyerly made a diving stab on a blazing ground ball by Michael Almanzar, but his throw did not reach first base in time, allowing Almanzar to reach and Gibson to score.

The walk-off single was the second consecutive win in the final at-bat for the Drive, following Jeremy Hazelbaker's ninth inning double on Monday.

Charleston had a chance to get on the board in the fifth inning when Kyle Higashioka doubled and Ray Kruml singled. Kruml stole second during the next at-bat, giving the RiverDogs runners on second and third with none out. However, starter Yeiper Castillo bore down and got the next two batters to strike out looking before getting Jimmy Paredes to ground out to third.

Charleston had another chance to score in the eighth after Justin Milo led off the inning with a walk, but Almanzar made two plays at third base to keep the game scoreless in the top half of the eighth. After Milo walked, Almanzar bare-handed a sacrifice bunt to throw out Paredes. Next he robbed J.R. Murphy of a single with a diving grab to his left, throwing him out at first while keeping Milo on second. Cesar Cabral (2-0) struck out the next batter to end the threat.

Shaeffer Hall pitched a stellar eight innings for the RiverDogs, pitching three-hit ball while mowing down the Drive offense in order six times. But Castillo and Cabral combined to match Hall toe-to-toe. Castillo pitched six innings of four-hit ball, and Cabral was nearly perfect in relief, allowing just two walks in three innings.

The Drive will send right-hander Ryan Pressly (1-3, 3.54 ERA) versus fellow right-hander Sean Black (3-3, 5.66 ERA) in Wednesday's matinee to seal a series win. The game is scheduled for 4:05pm at Fluor Field.

Following the Drive's game, the Greenville County High School All-Star Baseball Game will take place. One ticket will get you into both of Wednesday's games. In addition it's also "Spinx Wednesday" at Fluor Field. If you spend at least $5 at a Spinx convenience store (excluding gasoline), you can bring your receipt to the box office for a free ticket. 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 4,070...with 3.0 scoreless innings, Cesar Cabral lowered his ERA to 0.32 (1 ER/28.1 IP)...he hasn't allowed a run since April 23rd, a span of 19.0 innings and 9 outings...Ronald Bermudez's hit streak was snapped at 6 games.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 25, 2010


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