SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Rally for 8-3 Win Over Braves

Published on June 12, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Rome, GA - For the first two months of the season, the Drive wore down during the final games of a series, posting a 5-8 record against opponents in the finale. But June has been a different month for Greenville.

Following an 8-3, come-from-behind victory over the Rome Braves Saturday night, the Drive are a perfect three-for-three in series finale games in the third month of the season. In addition, Greenville is 7-4 in June, their best start to any month so far in 2010.

Although the Braves were the first team to score, with a single run in the bottom of the fourth, they and the Drive countered one another over a two-inning span. Following Chris Curley's RBI-single off Kendal Volz to put Rome up 1-0, Vladimir Frias delivered a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth.

But the Braves answered in the home half of the inning, with Curley once again knocking in a run with a single. However, the see-saw battle continued as Michael Almanzar tallied a two-out, RBI-single in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 2-2.

The run trading finally came to an end in the top of the seventh, when the Drive took their first lead of the game with a pair of runs. With the Braves turning to Jeffrey Lorick out of the bullpen, the lefty walked the bases loaded balked in the go ahead run, before Derrik Gibson added a sacrifice fly.

With Jeremiah Bayer (2-1) limiting Rome to just one hit in three scoreless innings of relief, the Drive pulled away by posting four runs in their final at bat. The first four batters all reached by for Greenville, with Ronald Bermudez collecting an RBI-single and Almanzar adding a two-run single. Reynaldo Rodriguez capped the Drive's scoring with a sacrifice fly.

In a last ditch effort, the Braves scored a meaningless run in the bottom of the ninth off Dennis Neuman.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field tomorrow as they begin their final homestand of the first half of the regular season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Right-hander Pete Ruiz (4-4, 5.27 ERA) will take the mound in the opener of the three-game series for Greenville, while Greensboro counters with left-hander Chad James (1-3, 5.08 ERA). In addition to Family FunDay, the series opener will be "Drive Out Colon Cancer" presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

In addition to former Major Leaguer Eric Davis at the ballpark, the Drive will wear commemorative wrist bands that will be available for purchase during a silent auction.

For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, and group outings, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 12, 2010


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