SAL1 Greenville Drive

Late Inning Rally Falls Short, Drive Lose 5-4

July 20, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Drive (52-43, 16-9) scored two in the seventh and two in the ninth, but their ninth inning rally fell just short as the Kannapolis Intimidators (41-53, 10-16) beat the Drive, 5-4, at Fluor Field.

Reynaldo Rodriguez and Jeremy Hazelbaker both reached base in front of Derrik Gibson, who singled in Rodriguez.

With runners on second and third and two out, Hazelbaker scored on a wild pitch, but Ronald Bermudez struck out with the tying run on third to end the game.

The game was scoreless through the first four innings, but not without chances.

Kannapolis starter Ryan Buch (2-0) got in trouble in the second, third, and fourth innings, including loading the bases in the fourth.

He escaped each inning unscathed before striking out the side in the fifth.

Drake Britton allowed just two hits for the Drive in his four innings of work, striking out four in the process.

Britton was relieved by Tom Ebert (8-2), who allowed a single to Ryan Hamme, and after a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, Daniel Wagner hit a single to drive Hamme in, giving Kannapolis their first run of the game.

Ebert allowed a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to Ian Gac, his SAL-leading 17th home run of the year.

Juan Silverio reached on a hit by pitch in the top of the seventh, and later scored on a passed ball.

Wagner followed Silverio's at bat with a single, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Colligan to give Kannapolis a four-run lead.

The Drive got two runs back in the bottom half of the seventh.

With two out, Christian Vazquez reached on a throwing error by the shortstop.

Jeremy Hazelbaker doubled to score Vazquez, and after Derrik Gibson walked, Thompson was relieved by Matt Wickswat. Wickswat allowed Chris McGuiness to single in Hazelbaker before striking out Ronald Bermudez to end the inning.

Ebert allowed the eventual game-winning for Kannapolis on a solo home run by Jose Vargas in the eighth.

Wickswat mowed down the Drive in the bottom half of the eighth to preserve the lead before being relieved by Orlando Santos in the bottom of the ninth.

Santos allowed the two runs, but still earned his sixth save of the year.

The Drive will look to even up the series, sending right-hander Pete Ruiz (5-7, 5.56 ERA) to the mound to match up against right-hander Matt Hopps (1-7, 5.28 ERA).

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Fluor Field.

Tomorrow is also "Playcation" at the ballpark.

For just $25 a family of four receives four tickets to tomorrow's Drive game, as well as four passes to the Greenville Rec waterparks, Greenville Zoo, and Paris Mountain State Park.

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



South Atlantic League Stories from July 20, 2010


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