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SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive, Braves Split Friday's Doubleheader

July 6, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Backed by a strong starting pitching effort by Henry Owens in game one of Friday's doubleheader, the Drive garnered a 4-0 victory. The visiting Rome Braves came out swinging in the nightcap, however, earning a twinbill split with a 6-3 win.

Earning his fifth straight win in as many starts, Owens surrendered just a pair of hits, both of which came in the top of the first of his 5.0 inning outing. The 19-year-old then retired the final 14 batters he faced before turning the game over to reliever Nefi Ogando.

Owens recorded seven strikeouts, the 10th time in 14 outings in his first professional season that the southpaw has recorded at least seven whiffs. Since May 6th, the 36th overall selection from the 2011 First-Year Player Draft is 8-1 in nine starts with a 3.97 ERA, 56 strikeouts and only 14 walks.

The right-handed Ogando held Rome scoreless over the final 2.0 innings, keeping the Drive's fourth shutout of the season intact.

The two runs in Greenville's first at bat proved to be more than enough. David Renfroe's groundout plated the game's first run, and Henry Ramos added a two-out, RBI-single. The Drive padded their lead in the bottom of the fifth as Matt Marquis scored on a wild pitch and Garin Cecchini collected an RBI-double.

With South Atlantic League All-Star Mickey Pena on the bump for game two, the Drive were in search for their first doubleheader sweep since August 23rd, 2011. But the lefty was forced to exit after recording just one out, tweaking his hamstring while covering first base on a grounder. Matty Ott came out of the bullpen much sooner than expected, and allowed both inherited runners to score, as well as three others.

All of the runs were unearned, led by a pair of two-out, two-run homers by William Beckwith and Brandon Drury. Rome increased their lead to a six-run advantage an inning later on Elmer Reyes' RBI-double.

Despite the scoreboard being against them, the Drive began to chip away in the bottom of the third. Henry Ramos led off the frame with a triple and scored as Jordan Weems followed with a double. De la Cruz, who extended his hit streak from eight to 10 games in one day, added an RBI-single.

The Drive would add their third and final run an inning later, as Weems collected his second hit and second RBI with a two-out single to score Drew Turocy.

The Drive and Braves meet again on Saturday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Noe Ramirez (0-1, 3.27 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Rome counters with right-hander Jarrett Miller (5-2, 3.82 ERA).

Throughout tomorrow night's game, David "No Way!" Burlet will entertain fans with his juggling skills, using anything and everything from baseballs to bats to gloves. For more information regarding tickets, call (864) 240-4500 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 6, 2012


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