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Greenville Drive

Rivera, Drive Offense Roll Past Grasshoppers, 12-1

April 28, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Atoning for a subpar road trip and losses to the Grasshoppers in the first two games of the homestand, the Drive (11-10) continued to torment the visiting team in the fourth game of the series en route to a 12-1 victory. The win evened the series at two games apiece, and moved Greenville over .500 again on the season.

The Drive used a balanced attack as they were the beneficiary of an explosive offense and a stellar effort from starting pitcher Manuel Rivera (3-1). The southpaw received more than enough run support as he limited the Grasshoppers to just a pair of basehits while matching a season-high with eight strikeouts over 6.0 scoreless innings. Only two baserunners were ever in scoring position against the southpaw, as he retired the nine consecutive Grasshoppers (12-9) at one point.

Greensboro hurler Zachary Neal, however, was not as lucky. The Drive pounced immediately on the righty, with their first four batters reaching base, including Miles Head drawing a bases loaded walk for the game's first run. Christian Vazquez added a sacrifice fly.

The scoring continued as Greenville added single runs in each of the second and third innings, coming on a wild pitch and RBI-single by Drew Hedman, to increase their advantage to four runs. After a brief halt in the run-producing department with a scoreless fourth, the Drive plated three more runs in the fifth.

Vazquez, who extended his hit streak seven games, led off with a single, as did Brandon Jacobs before Hedman laced a bases-clearing triple into the rightfield corner. The three-bagger mercifully brought an end to Neal's outing, as the Grasshoppers went to the bullpen. Jose Garcia plated Hedman with a sacrifice fly of his own.

Despite all of the hits and all of the runs, it wasn't until the bottom of the sixth when Head drove a first pitch fast ball over the Green Monster that the Drive tallied their first round tripper of the game. It was the 19-year-old's team leading sixth home run of the season, and his second in as many nights.

With another run in the bottom of the seventh, and three more in the eighth, the Drive scored in every one of their turns at bat with the exception of the bottom of the fourth.

Following 2.0 scoreless innings from Charle Rosario out of the bullpen, the Grasshoppers finally crossed home plate as Christian Yelich led off the top of the ninth with a solo homer off Garrett Rau.

The Drive and Grasshoppers meet in the rubber match of the series Friday night at Fluor Field, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Kyle Stroup (1-1, 6.62 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville in the finale, while Greensboro counters with right-hander Kyle Winters (2-1, 4.50 ERA).

Following tomorrow's game, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display set the hits of the 80's. 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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