SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Erase Five-Run Deficit to Capture 9-8 Victory

Published on April 23, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, SC - The Drive (9-8) were staring down their fourth straight loss, and ready to come home to Fluor Field with a forgettable 2-7 record during their first road trip of the season. However, a huge momentum shift went in Greenville's favor over their final two at-bats, scoring seven runs en route to a 9-8 victory over the Charleston RiverDogs (9-8).

Trailing by five runs, the Drive sent 10 batters to the plate in the top of the eighth, recording four hits and taking advantage of Charleston's second error of the night to score five times - all with two outs in the inning. With a runner on first and two outs in the inning, the next six batters all reached base, highlighted by run-scoring hits by Brandon Jacobs and Lucas LeBlanc, as well as a wild pitch.

Charleston regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth on J.R. Murphy's RBI-single, but another RiverDogs error in the top of the ninth proved extremely costly. With Bryce Brentz aboard, a fielding miscue by third baseman Kelvin Castro on Miles Head's batted ball tied the game.

Drive manager Billy McMillon then utilized Felix Sanchez's as a pinch runner for head, as he came around to score on Jacobs' second base hit of the game, an RBI-single.

Tyler Lockwood (2-0), who pitched the game's final three innings out of the bullpen for Greenville, worked around a pair of two out hits, and stranded the tying run on third to preserve the victory in the series finale.

The Drive struck for two runs in the top of the first, both coming on Drew Hedman's two-out single, only to see the RiverDogs score seven unanswered runs.

Starting pitcher Kyle Stroup lasted just 3.2 innings, surrendering six runs on eight hits and two walks, while fanning four. Five of those runs came on a two-run homer by Kelvin DeLeon in the bottom of the fourth and a three-run blast by Ramon Flores an inning later.

Despite being outhit 15-8, the Drive were able to take advantage of four hits in 11 trips to the plate with runners in scoring position, which catapulted them to the win over their cross-state rival.

Following an off day on Easter Sunday, the Drive begin a nine-game homestand on Monday, starting with a five-game set versus the Greensboro Grasshoppers, affiliate of the Florida Marlins. Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (1-0, 0.60 ERA) toes the rubber for Greenville, while Greensboro counters with right-hander Alan Oaks (1-1, 3.94 ERA) in the series opener, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM.

During Monday's tilt, the Drive and Michelin will recognize the Reading All-Stars from Greenville County elementary schools, which includes a pre-game parade around the warning track at Fluor Field. Any Reading All-Star that has yet to redeem their ticket voucher can still do so prior to the game. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 23, 2011


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