SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Endure 5-4 Walk-Off Loss to BlueClaws

Published on July 21, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Drive (50-47, 12-15) were prepared to fist pump in celebration of a win Thursday night at the Jersey shore, however, jubilation quickly turned into a situation as the Lakewood BlueClaws (48-47, 15-12) scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to secure a 5-4 walk-off win at FirstEnergy Park.

After erasing a one-run deficit on two separate occasions, Greenville grabbed their first lead in the top of the ninth. Michael Almanzar began the frame with a ground-rule double to right, advanced to second on Drew Hedman's groundout, and beat the throw home on David Renfroe's batted ball to second base.

But the lead would not last too long, as Lakewood erased a fine relief effort from Tyler Lockwood, who held the BlueClaws scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings. Garret Rau (3-4) came into closeout the game but loaded the bases with one out following a single by Domingo Santana, and hitting both Cameron Rupp and Carlos Alonso with pitches.

Edgar Duran singled home the tying run, before Miguel Alvarez laced a single past a drawn-in infield to give Lakewood their second straight victory in the series.

The BlueClaws scored the game's first run in the bottom of the second on doubles by Jim Murphy and Anthony Hewitt against Drive starter Scott Swinson. Renfroe wasted little time in tying the game as he doubled in the top of the third, eventually scoring on a wild pitch.

Like a heavyweight bout, Lakewood and Greenville continued to trade runs as the BlueClaws reclaimed the lead in the home half of the third on Zach Collier's sacrifice fly, scoring Alonso who led off the frame with a double. But once again the Drive answered, as Almanzar roped a two-out, RBI-single in the top of the fourth.

Both teams' offenses slowed down until the bottom of the sixth, when Murphy belted his South Atlantic League-leading 20th home run of the season to begin the inning. Henry Ramos knotted the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth, extending his career-long hit streak to 14-games with a two-out, RBI-double.

The Drive and BlueClaws conclude their three-game series on Friday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Miguel Celestino (7-4, 3.87 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville in the finale, while Lakewood counters with right-hander Garrett Claypool (3-5, 3.34 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Thursday, July 28th to closeout the month with a four-game series against the Charleston RiverDogs. 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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from July 21, 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