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.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 18, 2010
- Marte And Puello's Big Nights Can't Stop Drive In 8-4 Defeat Sunday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- 'Birds Fall Short in Extra-Innings Thriller - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Drive Roll Past Sand Gnats, 8-4, to Take Series - Greenville Drive
- Dominguez's Ninth-Inning Home Run Slugs Augusta to 3-1 Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
- Complete Games Spur Doubleheader Sweep, 4-1 and 4-0 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Dominguez Does It Again: Late Homer Lifts Jackets - Augusta GreenJackets
- Rienzo Cracks Claws, James' Hit Streak Ends in 4-0 Loss - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Complete Game for Brigham as Hickory Beats Legends 6-1 - Lexington Legends
- Suns Conquer Rome 7-2 - Hagerstown Suns
- Brigham Pitches Hickory to 6-1 Win Over Legends - Hickory Crawdads
- Gnats Game Notes: Sunday, July 18 Vs. Greenville - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Claws Drop Game One of a Doubleheader, 4-1 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Shorebirds Game Notes - Delmarva Shorebirds
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