SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Open Series with 3-2 Loss to Braves

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


Greenville, SC - Despite it being Harry Potter Night at Fluor Field on Saturday, there was no magic for the Greenville Drive (49-44, 11-12) in this outing. The Drive started off strong but couldn't get anything going late and suffered a 3-2 loss to the Rome Braves (33-60, 8-15) despite outhitting Rome 9-7.

Drive starter Miguel Celestino received a no-decision despite an outstanding outing. He went seven innings, allowing just one run and four hits while striking out six. Rome starter Aaron Northcraft (3-6) was terrific as well and picked up the win, giving up eight hits and two runs in seven innings.

The Drive took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. After Northcraft punched out Felix Sanchez and Sean Coyle to begin the frame, Brandon Jacobs smacked a ground-rule double to center and came in to score when Drew Hedman singled through the right side.

Rome evened the score in the top of the fourth. Celestino had retired the first ten Braves hitters before Edward Salcedo singled high off the Green Monster with one out to end the streak. Salcedo then stole second during Chris Garcia's at-bat and came around to score when Celestino uncorked two wild pitches.

Greenville answered back with a run quickly in the bottom half. Jacobs hammered a Northcraft pitch over the center-field wall to give the Drive a 2-1 lead. Both starters settled in nicely after the fourth, and the game was quiet on both sides until the eighth inning.

Juan Rodriguez (1-4) couldn't protect the lead when he came in to begin the eighth. Ryan Delgado greeted Rodriguez with a sharp single back through the box. Kyle Rose then executed a fine sacrifice bunt to push Delgado to second. Tony Mueller followed with a single off Rodriguez's foot, to place runners on the corners, and Salcedo hit a sharp grounder to first.

Hedman wanted to turn a double play but he bobbled the ball, leaving him only with a play at first. Delgado scored to tie the game at two. After a walk and a passed ball put runners on second and third, Robby Hefflinger singled up the middle, scoring Mueller to give Rome a 3-2 lead.

Tyler Hess pitched a perfect eighth inning to hold down the lead, and Gus Schlosser made it stand in the ninth, striking out two Drive hitters to pick up his third save of the season.

Jacobs led the way offensively for Greenville with two hits, including the homerun which was his 12th of the season, and both Drive runs on the evening. James Kang, Wilfred Pichardo, and Henry Ramos also collected two hits apiece for Greenville.

The Drive and Braves meet again on Sunday in the second matchup of the three-game series, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. RHP Kyle Stroup (1-5, 4.98 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Rome counters with right-hander Caleb Brewer 5-7, 4.67 ERA).

Following tomorrow's game, all kids 12 and under will get to run the bases. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2011


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