SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Defeat Rome Again, 4-1

Published on August 10, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Manuel Rivera (4-9) pitched six efficient and effective innings as the Drive (63-51, 27-17) defeated the Rome Braves (51-63, 21-24) by a final score of 4-1 Tuesday night at Fluor Field.

The Drive ended up winning four of the five games in the series against Rome, thus finishing their season-long nine-game home-stand with a bang.

Rivera needed just 72 pitches to mow down the Braves over six innings of work. He yielded just four hits, and one run while striking out eight. It was Rivera's first win since July 18 at Savannah, and only his second win since April 25.

The Drive struck early, doing all of their scoring in the first inning against Rome starter Willie Kempf (1-2), who was otherwise effective. Derrik Gibson led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a double to left by Vladimir Frias. Jeremy Hazelbaker then drove in both Gibson and Frias with a double down the right-field line, and a fielding error by Rome right-fielder Matt Weaver allowed Hazelbaker to go to third. Reynaldo Rodriguez then capped off the scoring with a line-drive two-run homer over the Green Monster, giving the Drive a 4-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

The Braves were able to scratch across a run in the top of the fifth on the strength of Matt Weaver's RBI-double that plated Christian Bethancourt, who had led off the frame with a single to left. Nevertheless, Rivera was able to avert further trouble, as he struck out three consecutive Rome hitters with two runners on.

Jeremiah Bayer came on to pitch the final three innings for Greenville, giving up just two hits and no runs while striking out five.

The Drive have a day off on Wednesday before opening a big five-game series Thursday in Asheville against the Tourists. The series has huge implications, as the Drive and Tourists are battling for first place in the second-half Southern Division standings.

Righty Kendal Volz (6-4, 3.69 ERA) will get the nod for Greenville against righty Chris Balcom-Miller (3-6, 3.18 ERA) of Asheville. First pitch at McCormick Field is set for 7:05 PM on Thursday night.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Saturday, August 21st for an eight-game homestand, beginning with cross-state rival, and New York Yankees affiliate, the Charleston RiverDogs. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, or luxury accommodations, call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 10, 2010


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