NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Greenville Drive

Tourists Take Down Drive, 8-1

June 11, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Due to a hamstring injury, Greenville was without their leading hitter Keury De La Cruz and it showed. The Drive (31-32) had nine hits but lacked the clutch knock, but a combination of skilled pitching and hitting for the visiting Asheville Tourists (44-20) left the home team on the losing end of an 8-1 score.

After two consecutive road losses against the Hickory Crawdads, the Drive looked to right the ship in front of the familiar faces of Fluor Field, this time facing the Asheville Tourists. To help accomplish that, the Greenville staff called upon right-hander Yeiper Castillo(5-3).

The initial inning was decent for Castillo as he helped hold Asheville to just one run, as Greenville's Jose Garcia got things going offensively with his third homer of the season, leaving the score dead even at the conclusion of the first inning.

Castillo gave up just one more run through the third inning, but Greenville was stagnant on offense two innings in a row, and the score was 2-1, Asheville heading into the fourth. After 73 pitches, four hits and a season-high five walks given up by Castillo, Greenville chose to go with right-hander Raynel Velette to start the fourth.

In the fourth and fifth innings, Greenville continued to struggle offensively. Giving up a run each inning, allowed Asheville to extend its lead to 4-1 heading into the sixth. Velette was relieved after two quick innings, as the Drive turned to right-hander Nefi Ogando with hopes of holding Asheville scoreless the rest of the night.

The trend continued in the sixth inning, as Greenville gave up a run without responding with one of their own, extending the Tourist lead to 5-1. After holding Asheville scoreless in the seventh inning, Greenville was in need of some offensive firepower.

The Drive offense failed to produce a run once again, for the fifth consecutive inning, and things weren't looking bright with two innings left in the game. To close the night out, Greenville went with right-hander Michael McCarthy who had a shutout eighth inning. After giving up three runs in the ninth, Greenville was all but defeated when they took their plate for their final at bat of the night. The ninth inning brought more of the same for the Greenville offense, as the night ended with the Drive scoring its only run in the opening inning.

Having joined the Drive on a Major League rehab assignment, Red Sox outfielder Jason Repko finished the game 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. It was the 31-year-old's first game since April 20th when he suffered a sprained right shoulder.

The Drive look to rebound in the second game of the series on Tuesday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Luis Diaz (0-2, 5.71 ERA) will be activated from the Disabled List to toe the rubber for Greenville, while Asheville counters with left-hander Tyler Anderson (4-0, 3.48 ERA).

For tomorrow's game, fans can pick their own "Playcation" package. For just $25, fans will receive two tickets to the game, plus two tickets to The Children's Museum of the Upstate and Camelot Cinemas, or two passes to the Greenville Rec Waterparks, Greenville Zoo, and Paris Mountain State Park. For more information, or to book your "Playcation", call (864) 240-4500 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...

South Atlantic League Stories from June 11, 2012


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