Sports stats



SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Drop Second Straight to Tourists with 8-7 Loss

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


Greenville, SC ‚¬" On a day where Fluor Field was home to summer camps in the Greenville area, the kids were treated to a performance straight out of a Bad News Bears movie. In a game that certainly wasn ‚¬â„¢t boring, the Asheville Tourists (36-39, 5-1) came away with an 8-7 win over the Greenville Drive (41-35, 3-3). The teams combined for seven errors and five hit-by-pitches, and 8 of the combined 15 runs were unearned.

Asheville struck first with two runs in the top of the second. Corey Dickerson hit a one-out double to left and came across when Mark Tracy drilled a Keith Couch offering off the condos in left field for a two-run homer.

Greenville wouldn ‚¬â„¢t scratch until the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, David Renfroe and Lucas LeBlanc delivered back-to-back singles. Renfroe came across when Felix Sanchez ‚¬â„¢s grounder was misplayed by Tourists third baseman Helder Velazquez.

The sixth inning wasn ‚¬â„¢t lacking for action. Velazquez made up for his error by leading off the frame with a homer that just cleared the left-center wall. After a Dustin Garneau single with one out, Sanchez got turned around on Dickerson ‚¬â„¢s fly ball for a two-base error. Avery Barnes then drilled a double down the right-field line to score Garneau and Dickerson and chase Couch from the game.

The inning was equally active in the bottom half. Brandon Jacobs got it started with a single to left. He advanced to third when Drew Hedman ‚¬â„¢s sharp groundball went right under Tracy ‚¬â„¢s glove for an error. Tourists starter Albert Campos then hit Christian Vazquez in the helmet to load the bases. Henry Ramos then hit a chopper that Asheville shortstop Christhian Adames booted to allow Jacobs and Hedman to score. After a walk, David Renfroe hit a deep fly ball to center to bring home Vazquez.

Asheville added two more in the top of the seventh. Rafael Ortega reached on an error by Xander Bogaerts with two outs and scored on a Velazquez single. After Kyle Parker reached on another Bogaerts error and Garneau was hit by a pitch, Dickerson drew a bases loaded walk to score Velazquez.

The Tourists scratched across their final run in the ninth. Ortega led off with a double and Velazquez singled him to third. Ortega scored on Parker ‚¬â„¢s double-play grounder to second.

Greenville made an interesting game even more interesting with a ninth-inning rally. Heiker Meneses and Jacobs singled to begin the inning. After two flyouts, Ramos doubled down the left-field line to score Meneses and Jacobs. After Bogaerts drew a walk, the bizarre game came to an appropriate ending. Renfroe blooped a single into center field. Ramos scored on the play, but Bogaerts was thrown out trying to go first-to-third to end the game, a call that was disputed by both Bogaerts and Drive manager Billy McMillon.

Albert Campos picked up the win for the Tourists, allowing four unearned runs in his six innings of work. Couch took the loss for the Drive. He was lifted with one out in the sixth after giving up seven hits and five runs (three earned). Tourists closer Juan Perez picked up his save of the season

.

Jacobs collected three hits on the afternoon and reached base four times. Renfroe picked up two hits and two RBI, while LeBlanc added a pair of hits. Velazquez had three hits for Asheville and drove in two runs. Barnes and Tracy also drove in two runs, and Ortega chipped in with two hits of his own.

The Drive and Tourists meet again on Wednesday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville ‚¬â„¢s starting pitcher is to be determined as right-hander Chris Martin was promoted to Salem following today ‚¬â„¢s game, while Asheville will send right-hander Juan Gonzalez (0-3, 10.50 ERA).

Gates to Fluor Field will open at 4:00 PM tomorrow, as it ‚¬â„¢s Greenville Pitches In for the MedEx Academy. All fans are encouraged to come to the ballpark early and step onto the mound and let loose a ceremonial first pitch. For each pitch thrown, the Drive will donate $3 to the Greenville Hospital System Medical Experience Academy. 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 4,851

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from June 28, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central