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Greenville Drive

Three-Run Eighth Pushes Drive Past BlueClaws, 4-1

July 14, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Fans of good pitching probably felt right at home at Fluor Field on Thursday night. On a night where hits came at a premium early, Drew Hedman came up big late and delivered the biggest knock of the game. His two-run double in the bottom of the eighth sparked the Greenville Drive (49-42, 11-10) to a 5-1 victory over the Lakewood BlueClaws (44-45, 11-10).

The eighth inning rally began against BlueClaw sreliever Mario Hollands (6-5), who walked Felix Sanchez and Sean Coyle to begin the frame. After Sanchez stole third base, Brandon Jacobs was given a free pass to load the bases, and setup a potential double play. Hedman then put the Drive on top by ripping a ball down the right-field line to bring in Sanchez and Coyle.

BlueClaw shitting coach Greg Legg came out to argue the call and was ejected by home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz. The inning continued when Christian Vazquez singled through the middle against new pitcher Tyler Knigge, scoring Jacobs and advancing Hedman to third. Henry Ramos followed with another single to plate Hedman for the final run of the night.

Drive starter Keith Couch pitched an outstanding game, only to receive a tough luck no-decision. He threw seven innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while punching out a career-high eight BlueClaw hitters. Lakewood starter David Buchanan was also solid, going five and two-thirds innings, giving up five hits and striking out six.

Lakewood finally scratched against Couch in the top of the sixth. Travis Mattair began the frame with a single, ending Couch's streak of twelve consecutive BlueClaw hitters retired. Two batters later, Sanchez misjudged Edgar Duran's fly ball, which fell in for a single and advanced Mattair to third. Miguel Alvarez followed with a fielder's choice to score Mattair for Lakewood's lone run of the evening.

Greenville countered in the bottom half with a run of their own to tie the game. Sanchez led off with an infield single to second base. Buchanan picked up a strikeout and then walked Jacobs to put runners on first and second. After Hedman flew out to deep center field to advance Sanchez to third, Vazquez delivered a big single to knot the game up at one.

The top of the eighth brought about plenty of fireworks even though no runs were scored. Mattair hit a one-out double off Drive reliever Michael Gleason (1-0), and during Duran's at-bat with two outs, Vazquez threw a bullet behind Mattair at second and picked him off to end the inning. Both Mattair and Lakewood manager Chris Truby vehemently argued the call and were tossed by base umpire Jose Esteras.

Vazquez led the way for the Drive at the dish, picking up three more hits and a pair of RBI. Ramos added a pair of hits to extend his hitting streak to nine games. Mattair had two of Lakewood's four hits on the night.

The Drive and BlueClaws conclude their four-game series, which hasn't lacked excitement, Friday night with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Scott Swinson (2-2, 2.72 ERA) toes the rubber for Greenville, while Lakewood counters with southpaw Jesse Biddle (4-6, 3.35 ERA).

Following tomorrow's contest, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks show set to beach music. 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 4,506...Henry Ramos' 9-game hit streak is a career-high, and he has tallied 6 multi-hit efforts over that span...Keith Couch has struckout 80 and walked just 9 batters in 87.0 innings...Couch had retired 12 straight batters at one point, fanning 7

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