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SAL1 Greenville Drive

Lefties Lift Drive to 11-6 Win Over BlueClaws

April 7, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Led by a trio of lefties, including Rich Hill and Andrew Miller on Major League rehab assignments, the Drive disposed of the Lakewood BlueClaws, 11-6 Saturday night at Fluor Field. Hill and Miller each tossed an inning to start the game, before Henry Owens - the 36th overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft - made his professional debut.

A veteran of seven Major League seasons, Hill needed just 17 pitches to get out of the top of the first as struckout all three batters he faced. Miller allowed a pair of hits, and hit a batter, but added scoreless frame of his own by fanning a pair of BlueClaws ' batters.

Greenville's third southpaw, Owens (1-0), picked up where the two big leaguers left off by striking out seven in his three innings, including punching out the side in the top of the 4th.

Meanwhile, the Drive offense put a hurting on the Lakewood's staff. Greenville took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on Jose Garcia's groundout, before exploding for five runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. The Drive sent all nine batters to the plate with Cody Koback's two-run single igniting the scoring barrage.

Blake Swihart added a two-run single before Garin Cecchini's RBI-double capped the inning. Greenville tacked on their seventh run an inning later as Jose Garcia singled home David Renfroe with two outs.

Lakewood, however, made a valiant effort come back, cutting the Drive's lead to just a single run with five runs in the sixth and another run in the seventh. Owens surrendered six consecutive hits to begin the sixth inning before being relieved by Tyler Lockwood. The BlueClaws ' run in the seventh was unearned when Carlos Perdomo reached on an error.

Garcia, who finished the night 3-for-4, saved the best for his last at bat by belting a towering 2-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to give the Drive some breathing room. Keury De la Cruz added a two-run shot of his own in eighth.

Justin Erasmus tossed a perfect ninth for the Drive, striking out two batters as Greenville's four hurlers combined for 17 strikeouts in the game.

The Drive and BlueClaws conclude their four-game series tomorrow, with first pitch set for 4:05 PM. Right-hander Matt Barnes (0-0, ---ERA), who was selected 19th overall in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, will make his professional debut by taking the hill for Greenville. Lakewood will counter with left-hander Ethan Stewart (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

Opening Week, presented by TD Bank, continues Easter Sunday from Fluor Field with BI-LO Kids Eat Free and BlueCross/BlueShield of South Carolina Kids Run the Bases. During the game, kids 12 and under will receive a complimentary meal with two options, either a hot dog and bag of apple slices or a 4-inch Subway sandwich and bag of chips. Following the game they'll get to run the bases at the ballpark. Single-game tickets, group outings, luxury accommodations, and ticket plans are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500, or visiting GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 7, 2012


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