SAL1 Greenville Drive

Behind Barnes, Drive End Road Trip with 4-2 Win

Published on April 18, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Lexington, KY - The Red Sox first pick in last year's draft, right-hander Matt Barnes, continued to make his first professional season look flawless Wednesday morning in a matinee game with the Lexington Legends (4-10). In the series finale, the 19th overall selection from the 2011 First-Year Player Draft struckout nine batters in 6.0 shutout innings as the Drive (6-8) prevailed with a 4-2 victory.

While extending his scoreless streak to a total of 16 innings to begin 2012, Barnes limited the Legends to just three base hits. And the 21-year-old appeared to show no signs of fatigue, striking out two in his final inning of work.

Equally impressive was Lexington's duo of Jonas Dufek and Nathan Pettus, who held Greenville hitless through the first five innings. That, however, came to a screeching halt at the start of the sixth inning at Whitaker Bank Park.

19-year-old Blake Swihart, who belted his first professional homer the previous game, led off with double down the leftfield line which ignited a firestorm by the Drive offense. Garin Cecchini and Boss Moanaroa each walked to load the bases with no outs, setting up Henry Ramos' two-run single. Keury De la Cruz added an RBI-single of his own, giving Greenville a three-run advantage.

In the end, the lead was more than enough for the Drive, but for good measure tacked on a fourth run in the top of the eighth on David Renfroe's solo homer - his third of the season.

Another right-hander Jason Garcia, pitched the final three innings, only hitting a minor bump in the bottom of the ninth when Matt Duffy belted a two-out, two run homer to break-up the shutout bid. Despite the hiccup, Garcia struckout four in earning his second save of the season.

Winners of their last two, the Drive return home to Fluor Field on Thursday to begin a four-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets, affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Right-hander Madison Younginer (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Augusta counters with left-hander Adalberto Mejia (0-2, 19.80 ERA).

Dollar Drink Night kicks-off the Drive's brief stint at home, where fans can purchase 12 ounce Pepsi products at any of the concession stands for just $1. Those fans at least 21-years-of-age, can head over to The 500 Club for beverage specials. To purchase tickets, please call (864) 240-4528 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

GAME NOTES: Through 3 professional starts, Matt Barnes is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER, 16 IP), 25 K, 2 BB, 0.50 WHIP, and .111 AVG

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 18, 2012


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