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Greenville Drive

Drive Come Up Short Versus Tourists, 3-2

June 27, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Drive (41-34, 3-2) tried to dig deep for some more magic at home, but when Heiker Meneses grounder was scooped up and thrown to first with the tying run on third and winning run on second, the luck ran out. Greenville suffered a 3-2 tough luck loss to the Asheville Tourists (35-39, 4-1) in the series opener, enduring their first loss at home since June 5th.

Scott Swinson (2-2) threw six innings for the Drive, scattering five hits, while striking out two Tourists and he did not issue any walks. He gave up a leadoff double to Rafael Ortega to begin the game, who later scored a sac fly by former Clemson stand-out Kyle Parker.

The right-hander, who was filling in while Brandon Workman is on the disabled list, settled in to retire the side 1,2,3 in the top of the second before allowing Ortega to drive in the second Asheville run of the night in the third. After allowing his second run, Swinson pitched three quick innings before being replaced by Tyler Lockwood.

The Drive finally got on the board in the fourth inning when Henry Ramos led off the inning with a single. Ramos scored on a Xander Bogaerts' double down the right field, who was then thrown out at third trying to extend his hit to a triple. Bogaerts atoned for his bad base running by getting a leadoff single in the sixth and eventually scoring to cut the deficit to one.

Lockwood came in to relieve Swinson in the seventh frame and gave up a crucial home run against the first batter he faced. This home run by Asheville's designated hitter Corey Dickerson proved to be the difference in the game. Lockwood pitched a scoreless eighth inning before being taken out of the game for Garrett Rau. Rau came in and pitched a perfect ninth to give the Drive a chance to win in the home half of the inning.

Greenville had its two hottest hitters of the night due up in the ninth but could not capitalize on their final scoring chance. Bogaerts flew out to start the frame but David Renfroe preserved his perfect night with his second single of the night before being replaced on the base path by Felix Sanchez. Lucas LeBlanc singled up the middle then both Sanchez and LeBlanc advanced on a groundout by pinch hitter Christian Vazquez. Meneses had a chance to be the hero of the night but ended the game with a ground out to short.

The Drive and Tourists meet again in just over 12 hours at Fluor Field, with Tuesday's first pitch set for 11:05 AM. Right-hander Keith Couch (3-1, 3.30 ERA) toes the rubber for Greenville in the early start, while Asheville counters with right-hander Albert Campos (5-4, 5.91 ERA).

Fluor Field will be full to the brim with enthusiastic young faces from across the Upstate, with Summer camps piling into the ballpark for Tuesday's morning 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.

GAME NOTES: Attendance was 4,082...Garrett Rau extended his scoreless streak to 6.2 IP...following the game, All-Star 1B Miles Head was promoted to the Salem Red Sox (Advanced-A) of the Carolina League

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 27, 2011


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