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Greenville Drive

Greenville Conquers Rome, 8-2

July 25, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - It was only a matter of time before Drake Britton earned his first victory of the season.

That came Sunday afternoon as the southpaw pitched five innings for just the second time all year, allowing a pair of runs as the Drive (56-44, 20-10) defeated the Rome Braves, 8-2, at State Mutual Stadium.

By the time the Braves (44-55, 14-16) plated a pair on Philip Gosselin's two-run homer in the bottom of the third, it was too late.

Greenville wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, sending all nine batters to the plate in the top of the first, en route to scoring five runs.

Defensive miscues aided the Drive as Derrik Gibson reached on a fielding error after Jeremy Hazelbaker's leadoff single.

A walk to Chris McGuiness loaded the bases, and a wild pitch by Carlos Perez (0-1) allowed the first run to score.

After an RBI-groundout by Michael Almanzar, newcomer Sean Kileen delivered a three-run double with the bases loaded.

The Drive extended their lead to six runs the very next inning, when Hazelbaker led off with a double and scored as Gibson followed with a single.

Having been put on a strict pitch count after spending two months on the disabled list with a strained bicep, Britton (1-1) worked efficiently through the first two innings, allowing just one hit.

With the Drive leading 7-2 through five-and-a-half innings, Greenville turned to Tom Ebert out of the bullpen.

The right-hander allowed tossed four scoreless innings, picking up his first save of the season.

Although he allowed two hits in his first inning of work, and another in the bottom of the ninth, Ebert sat the Braves down in order in the seventh and eighth innings, retiring a total of eight consecutive batters.

The Drive and Braves meet in the third game of the series tomorrow at State Mutual Stadium, with first pitch set for 7:00 PM.

Greenville will send right-hander Pete Ruiz (6-7, 5.16 ERA) to the mound, while Rome counters with lefty Brett DeVall.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on August 2nd for a 9-game homestand.

The opener is "University of South Carolina Night" which will feature Gamecock football and baseball players, the 2010 College World Series National Championship trophy, Cocky, and cheerleaders.

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 25, 2010


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