SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Power Past Tourists, 15-2

Published on May 2, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Drive ‚¬â„¢s offense put on a show Monday night at Fluor Field, pummeling, the visiting Asheville Tourists for 14 hits, including seven extra-base hits, for a 15-2 victory. Leading the way for Greenville was Miles Head, who celebrated his 20th birthday with a 4-for-4 performance, as well as Christian Vazquez, who homered and knocked in five runs.

Greenville scored two runs in the bottom of the first, which was sparked by Lucas LeBlanc ‚¬â„¢s leadoff double. A wild pitch led to the first run, before Vazquez laced a one-out, RBI-single.

The combination of Bryce Brentz, Head and Vazquez scored nine of the Drive runs and drove in 8. Head started the bottom of the third with a double and walk to Vazquez allowed Drew Hedman to collect a pair of RBIs with a double of his own. Felix Sanchez utilized his speed to avoid an inning-ending double play, and knock in the Drive ‚¬â„¢s third run of the inning.

An inning later, the Drive sent all nine batters to the plate for the sixth time this season at Fluor Field, pulling away from the Tourists with six run to take a nine run lead. Vazquez and David Renfroe each collected an RBI-single, while Sanchez laced a bases loaded triple to put the game out of reach. The speedy centerfielder then scampered home on a passed ball.

The Drive added four more runs in the bottom of the seventh, three of which came on Vazquez ‚¬â„¢s blast to right-centerfield. Head added his second double of the game, scoring Brentz.

The Drive pitching also helped the team keep the huge lead that the offense gave them. Miguel Celestino (2-1) pitched five innings while giving up just two runs. He was relieved by Scott Swinson, who was making his 2011 debut.

Swinson pitched three innngs and only gave up one hit before being replaced Dennis Neuman. The right-hander pitched a perfect top of the ninth to bring a fantastic night at Fluor Field to an end.

The Drive look to closeout their nine-game homestand with another victory over the Tourists, with first pitch set for 2:05 PM. Left-hander Manuel Rivera (3-1, 1.73 ERA), who was named the South Atlantic League ‚¬â„¢s Pitcher of the Week, will toe the rubber for Greenville while Asheville counters with righty Eric Stavert (1-1, 6.59 ERA).

Tomorrow ‚¬â„¢s early afternoon game is also ‚¬Å“Drive Business Downtown ‚¬Â, presented by Elliott Davis, a unique networking opportunity that supports and celebrates the downtown business community. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

GAME NOTES: Attendance was 3,650 ‚¬Â¦Bryce Brentz extended his South Atlantic League-best on-base streak to 24 games, and his team-high hit streak to 15 games ‚¬Â¦Brentz is one game away from tying the franchise record (25 games; Jeff Natale, 2006) ‚¬Â¦Miles Head extended his hit streak to 6 games, hitting .542 (13-for-24) with 4 homers, 9 RBI and 9 runs scored ‚¬Â¦Christian Vazquez ‚¬â„¢s 5 RBIs were a career-high

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 2, 2011


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