SAL1 Greenville Drive

Extra-Inning Rally Propels Drive to 7-6 Win

Published on July 13, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - It was NASCAR Night at Fluor Field on Wednesday, and many of the fans were driven home by five consecutive scoreless innings. In the end, the checkered flag was waved when Michael Almanzar hit a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eleventh inning, capping a three-run frame as the Greenville Drive (48-42, 10-10) shocked the Lakewood BlueClaws (44-44, 11-9) with a 7-6 victory.

Drew Dominguez started the fireworks for the Drive by reaching on an error with one out against Lakewood reliever Colby Shreve (3-5). He was forced out during Felix Sanchez's at-bat, and the Drive made their move with two outs. Wilfred Pichardo singled Sanchez to second, and Brandon Jacobs walked to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Sanchez, while advancing Pichardo and Jacobs ninety feet. With two strikes, Almanzar reached out and poked a single through the left side. Pichardo scored easily and Jacobs barely beat the throw to the plate from Lakewood leftfielder Miguel Alvarez for the game-winner.

The comeback seemed improbable, especially after the top of the eleventh. Drive reliever Dennis Neuman (1-1) hit Jim Murphy to begin the frame, who was lifted for a pinch runner. Two batters later, Domingo Santana pounded a Neuman offering way over the Green Monster to give the BlueClaws the 6-4 lead.

Lakewood scratched across a single run in the top of the first off Drive starter Brandon Workman. Edgar Duran and Geancarlo Mendez began the game with back-to-back singles. Jim Murphy brought home Duran with a groundout to shortstop.

Both teams were quiet until the fourth inning, which brought about plenty of action from both sides. Workman issued one-out walks to Murphy and Anthony Hewitt, and Domingo Santana followed with a single up the middle to bring home Murphy. After Hewitt and Santana pulled off a double steal, they came home when Travis Mattair singled to center to give the BlueClaws a 4-0 lead.

The Greenville fourth began when Michael Almanzar reached on an infield single to third. After advancing on a passed ball, Henry Ramos singled him to third. Xander Bogaerts then slapped a solid single through the middle to bring home Almanzar. After Ramos swiped third base, BlueClaws starter Ervis Manzanillo balked him home and Bogaerts to second. Another passed ball moved Bogaerts to third, who scooted home on a sacrifice fly by Drew Dominguez, which cut the Lakewood lead to one.

The Drive tied the game at four when Christian Vazquez smacked a homerun off the condos in left field against Lakewood reliever Chase Johnson. For Vazquez, it was his second consecutive night with a homer and his 13th of the season.

Both bullpens settled in after the fifth inning and threw shutout baseball until the 11th. Jay Johnson threw two and two-thirds scoreless innings for Lakewood. Justin Erasmus and Michael Olmsted each tossed a pair of scoreless innings for the Drive.

Almanzar's heroics highlighted his two-for-six evening at the plate. Xander Bogaerts collected three hits for the Drive, while David Renfroe and Sanchez added two hits apiece. Lakewood was led offensively by Santana, who had two hits, including the homerun, and three RBI. Duran had two hits, and Mattair drove in a pair of runs.

In a rematch of the 2009 and 2010 South Atlantic League Championship Series, the Drive and BlueClaws continue their four-game set at Fluor Field on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville will send right-hander Keith Couch (3-2, 3.26 ERA) to the mound, while Lakewood counters with right-hander David Buchanan (9-5, 3.88 ERA).

Tomorrow is Dollar Drink Night at the ballpark where fans of all ages can purchase 12-ounce Pepsi products at any of the concession stands for just a buck. Those fans at least 21-years-old can head over to The 500 Club for draft specials. 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 3,612...the Drive improved to 3-0 in extra-inning games at Fluor Field...it was also the Drive's 5th walk-off win and 19th come-from-behind victory...the Drive and BlueClaws have been involved in the most 1-run games in the South Atlantic League this season (35 and 34, respectively)...Justin Erasmus extended his scoreless streak to 9.2 innings, a span of 5 relief appearances...Christian Vazquez homered in back-to-back games for the 4th time this season (April 21 & 22, June 19 & 23, June 25 & 26, July 12 & 13)...Henry Ramos extended his career-high hit streak to 8-games

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2011


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