SAL1 Greenville Drive

Two Innings Doom Drive versus Sand Gnats, 9-3

Published on July 16, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Savannah, GA - Pete Ruiz was nearly perfect through four innings Friday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. The only blemish on his pitching line was a one-out walk that he issued in the top of the fourth.

But with the Drive (50-42, 14-8) leading the 3-0, things quickly turned sour in the bottom of the fifth. The right-hander recorded just one out, surrendering five runs before Greenville was forced to go to the bullpen. Two innings later the Sand Gnats (52-40, 10-12) tacked on four more runs, eventually recording a 9-3 victory.

While Ruiz retired the first 13 batters he faced, the Drive offense struck first with a run in the third and two more in the fourth. With two outs in the third, four consecutive batters reached base as Derrik Gibson singled and later scored when Chris McGuiness reached on an error.

In the fourth, Reymond Fuentes drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on a passed ball. Gibson added a two-out, RBI-double off Savannah starter John Church.

Travis Ozga led off the bottom of the fifth with the Sand Gnats first hit, and from there the Savannah offense took over. They sent 10 batters to the plate that inning, recording five hits.

With Savannah holding onto a two-run lead, they added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth off reliever Stephen Fox. For the second time in the game, the Sand Gnats batted around in an inning, but only three of the runs were earned as Greenville committed their second and third errors of the game.

The Drive will look to rebound and even the series when they meet again on Saturday, with first pitch set for 6:05 PM. Right-hander Kendal Volz (5-3, 4.11 ERA) will head to the bump for Greenville, while Savannah counters with right-hander Armando Rodriguez (5-5, 3.03 ERA).

Following the series in Savannah, the Drive return home on Tuesday, July 20th for a four-game series with the Kannapolis Intimidators. Not only is the first game of the series a BI-LO Tasty Tuesday where kids 12 and under eat free, but it's also "Silly Bandz Night." 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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South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2010


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