SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Walk-Off Again with 3-2 Victory

Published on June 16, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Greenville Drive fans got a little taste of déjà vu at Fluor Field on Thursday night. The Drive (35-32) ended their last homestand with a walk-off victory, and they got more of the same when Lucas LeBlanc singled home Xander Bogaerts with one out in the ninth inning to cap a 3-2 defeat of the first half Southern Division Champion Savannah Sand Gnats (39-27).

Bogaerts started the ninth inning rally for the Drive by crushing a one-out double off the center field fence against Sand Gnats reliever Gabriel Zavala. A batter later LeBlanc sent everyone home happy with a short single to left which proved enough to score the game-winner.

The rally made a victor of Drive reliever Charle Rosario, who improves to 4-0. Zavala (1-4) took the loss for Savannah. The rally also overshadowed the work of both starting pitchers. Manuel Rivera pitched 6.0 shutout innings for Greenville, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out five. Taylor Whitenton settled in after a rocky first frame to pitch six solid innings with five strikeouts.

Whitenton walked three Drive hitters in the first, and two of them scored when Henry Ramos snuck a single through the right side. It was the only hit allowed by Whitenton on the evening, who allowed just one more baserunner.

The Sand Gnats picked up single runs in the seventh and eighth innings against Drive reliever Tyler Lockwood. A sacrifice bunt by Albert Cordero advanced Aderlin Rodriguez, who walked to lead off the frame, and Blake Forsythe, who singled. Rodriguez scored on a Sam Honeck groundout to first.

They knotted up the game in the eighth when Drive catcher Christian Vasquez threw a ball into right field on a fielder's choice to score Wilfredo Tovar.

Forsythe and Alonzo Harris collected two hits apiece for Savannah. Bogaerts picked up two hits for Greenville, while Ramos drove in two with his first-inning single.

The Drive and Sand Gnats continue their series, which closes out the first half of the 2011 regular season, on Friday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Miguel Celestino (4-4, 4.89 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Savannah counters with right-hander Yohan Almonte (2-2, 3.03 ERA).

Following tomorrow's contest, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display set to the music of rock legends including Aerosmith, Guns 'N Roses, and Lynyrd Skynrd. 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 5,302...Xander Bogaerts extended his hit streak to 5 games

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 16, 2011


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