SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Drown 'Dogs in Doubleheader Sweep

Published on August 23, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, SC - After heavy rainshowers delayed the start of the Drive's (70-58, 32-26) four-game series with in-state rival the Charleston RiverDogs (49-79, 23-35) by a day, further predictions of inclement weather from Hurricane Irene held off long enough for Greenville to capture a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With a spot in the 2011 playoffs still on the line, the pair of victories couldn't have come at a more crucial time for the Drive, as it was just the fifth doubleheader sweep in 21 chances in franchise history. The Drive recorded a 5-2 win in game one, while picking up their eighth shutout of the season in game two, by a 5-0 score.

The Drive relied heavily on the long ball in both of their victories, with Henry Ramos and Michael Almanzar providing the heroics in game one's come-from-behind win. Greenville found themselves trailing 2-1 through four innings, after Anderson Feliz's two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth off Keith Couch.

But the Drive quickly answered in the top of the fifth, as Ramos sent a first pitch offering from Vidal Nuno to deep leftfield following Xander Bogaerts' double. In their final turn at bat, Bogaerts and Ramos led off the top of the seventh with consecutive singles, setting up Almanzar's three-run blast off of Aaron Dott (2-1) to straight away centerfield.

Although there were 59 games in between the 20-year-old's only two round trippers of the 2011 season, Almanzar wasted little time in belting his third of the season. It was also the first time in his four-year professional career that Almanzar homered in back-to-back games.

A 2011 draft pick, Andrew Jones (1-1) picked up his first win in a Drive uniform by holding the RiverDogs scoreless over the final two innings, while fanning three.

In game two, it was all about Drive starting pitcher Scott Swinson (4-4). The right-hander retired the first 17 batters he faced, taking a perfect game into the bottom of the sixth before allowing a two-out single to Wes Wilson. Following the base hit, Swinson was immediately lifted from the game in which he tallied five strikeouts.

Reliever Charle Rosario preserved the shutout, scattering three hits over the final 1.1 innings.

The Drive wasted little time in scoring game two as Drew Hedman delivered a two-out, RBI-double in the top of the first. An inning later, Greenville took advantage of a pair of Charleston defensive miscues which led to four unearned runs. The Drive only needed two hits in the inning, with Sean Coyle tallying a two-run single and Brandon Jacobs adding a two-run homer.

The Drive and RiverDogs continue their four-game series on Wednesday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Miguel Celestino (9-5, 3.97 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Charleston counters with right-hander Manny Barreda (4-2, 3.80 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Friday, August 26th with a crucial five-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets, that could very well determine who makes the playoffs. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.




South Atlantic League Stories from August 23, 2011


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