SAL1 Greenville Drive

Bogaerts Delivers Walk-Off Home Run, Drive Win 6-5 in 11 Innings

Published on August 8, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Drive (63-50, 25-18) have had a knack for the dramatics all season long. That trend continued Monday in their series finale with the Lexington Legends (51-63, 16-28) when Xander Bogaerts was mobbed at home plate in the bottom of the 11th inning following a solo homer for a 6-5 walk-off victory.

The win, which was obtained with two outs in the inning, was the Greenville's 8th walk-off win, 29th come-from-behind victory, and league-leading 44th game decided by a single-run.

Having been activated from the disabled list prior to the start of the game, right-hander Dennis Neuman (2-1) was perfect in his two innings of relief, fanning a pair of Legends' batters to earn the win.

After falling behind 2-0 on a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second, the Drive answered with a run in the bottom of the third on Brandon Jacobs' sacrifice fly. An inning later each of the first three batters - Drew Hedman, Xander Bogaerts, and Michael Almanzar - singled to load the bases, culminating in David Renfroe's first career grand slam.

But as they did all series, last place Lexington showed their resiliency by creeping back into the game. The Legends took advantage of a passed ball and throwing error by catcher Christian Vazquez to plate two runs - one unearned - to pull within a run in the top of the fifth. An inning later, Jhonny Medrano knotted the game at 5-5 with an RBI-single.

Miguel Celestino, who was trying to convert his team-leading ninth win of the season, deserved better luck after tossing 6.0 innings. The right-hander surrendered five runs, only two of which were earned, by scattering seven hits and a walk, while fanning six before turning the game over to Justin Erasmus.

The Australian native continued his dominance of South Atlantic League hitters, striking out three in 2.0 scoreless innings. Erasmus has not allowed an earned run since June 28th, a span of 21.0 innings over 12 relief appearances.

Neither team was able to score off of the opposing bullpens in the final three innings of regulation, as well as the 10th inning, before Bogaerts' heroics off of David Martinez (4-5).

Following an off day on Tuesday, the Drive travel to Historic Grayson Stadium for a crucial four-game series with the Southern Division-leading Savannah Sand Gnats, affiliate of the New York Mets. Right-hander Kyle Stroup (3-5, 4.03 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville in the series opener, while Savannah counters with right-hander Taylor Whitenton (4-2, 2.52 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Sunday, August 14th for an eight-game home stand, beginning with the Rome Braves. 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 4,822...the Drive did not have any extra inning games at home in the 1st half of the regular season, but have played 5 at Fluor Field in the 2nd half...the Drive are 9-3 in extra inning games this season (5-0 at Fluor Field)...catcher Christian Vazquez had 2 errors in a game for the first time since May 14, 2010...the 4-game series between the Drive and Legends featured 7 lead changes and 3 ties

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 8, 2011


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