SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Roll Past Sand Gnats, 8-4, to Take Series

Published on July 18, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Savannah, GA - Backed by a five-run second inning, the Drive (52-42, 16-8) jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back in the series finale with the Sand Gnats (52-42, 10-14) on Sunday.

The Greenville offense pounded out 11 hits, including five doubles en route to an 8-4 victory.

All nine batters stepped up to the plate in the top of the second, as the Drive roughed up Sally League All-Star, James Fuller (7-3), to the tune of five runs.

The southpaw retired the first two batters he faced, before the next six reached base.

Following singles by Reynaldo Rodriguez and Zach Gentile, and a walk to Michael Thomas to load the bases, Derrik Gibson continued his hot hitting with a two-run double.

Two more runs came across when Vladimir Frias reached on an error, before Chris McGuiness capped the scoring with a two-out, RBI-double.

Michael Almanzar's two-bagger in the top of the third, scoring Shannon Wilkerson, extended Greenville's lead to six runs.

By the time the Sand Gnats scored a run off Manuel Rivera (3-7) in the bottom of the fourth, it was too late.

The southpaw retired the first nine batters he faced before Pedro Zapata led off the inning with a double.

Cesar Puello's one-out single put Savannah on the scoreboard.

Rivera lasted until there was one-out in the bottom of the sixth, and was charged with his second run when reliever Pedro Perez issued a bases loaded walk to Alex Gregory.

The left-hander allowed a pair of runs on four hits and fanning two, while earning his first victory since April 25th, a span of 14 starts.

The Drive's final two runs came in the top of the sixth, when Ronald Bermudez roped a two-run double with the bases loaded off reliever Luis Rojas.

Walks to Gentile and Gibson, and a hit by Frias, setup Bermudez's hit which pushed him to a team-high 51 runs batted in on the year.

After an off day on Monday, the Drive welcome the Kannapolis Intimidators to Fluor Field for a four-game series.

First pitch for Tuesday is set for 7:05 PM, with left-hander Drake Britton (0-1, 3.15 ERA) toeing the rubber for Greenville as Kannapolis counters with right-hander Ryan Buch (1-0, 3.09 ERA).

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.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 18, 2010


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