Drive Rally Falls Short Versus RiverDogs, Lose 7-5
May 27, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
The Drive brought the winning run up to the plate in the ninth inning, but Chris McGuiness grounded into a double play to end the game, giving the RiverDogs a 7-5 victory over the Greenville Drive.
J.R. Murphy hit a three-run home run off of Jeremiah Bayer (1-1) in the top of the eighth inning to score the winning run for Charleston.
The RiverDogs' victory earns them a series split with the Drive, and improves their record to 21-27. The Drive drop to 23-25 despite breaking out for ten hits in the game, the highest total in a game against RiverDogs pitching.
The Drive went ahead in the seventh inning with a two-out, two-RBI double by Christian Vazquez. Michael Almanzar singled to lead off the inning. After Jeremy Hazelbaker struck out, Reynaldo Rodriguez doubled into right-center field. Almanzar was thrown out at the plate, but Joantoni Garcia kept the inning alive with a walk. Ryan Acosta (2-1) relieved starter Jairo Heredia and allowed the double by Vazquez before ending the inning without further damage.
Consecutive doubles by Rob Lyerly and Kelvin Castro gave the RiverDogs some insurance in the top of the ninth, bringing Charleston's run total to seven.
Greenville threatened to rally in the bottom of the ninth when Vazquez walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. After he was thrown out at third on another wild pitch, Reymond Fuentes singled and stole second. Derrik Gibson was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second, before Dickson Marquez came on in relief. Marquez got McGuiness to ground into the game-ending double play, earning his first save of the year.
Charleston led off the scoring in the second inning when DeAngelo Mack singled, and Kyle Higashioka followed with a two-run home run. Greenville answered right back when Ronald Bermudez doubled to lead off the bottom of the second, and Jeremy Hazelbaker hit his own two-run homer two batters later to tie up the game.
Zoilo Almonte added a solo home run in the sixth inning for the RiverDogs, his fifth of the year.
Drive starter Kendal Volz gave up two runs on four hits, allowing just the Higashioka home run. His counterpart Jairo Heredia pitched six and two-thirds, allowing six hits and four runs while striking out seven.
The Drive will look to get back on track in the first game of an eight-game road trip on Friday in Hagerstown, Maryland. They will send southpaw Manuel Rivera (2-4, 2.98 ERA) to the mound in the 7:05pm game.
Following their road trip, the Drive return home to Fluor Field on Saturday, June 5th for a four-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
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