SAL1 Greenville Drive

An Unlikely Hero Emerges In Drive's 9-7 Win

July 24, 2007 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Kristopher Negron will be the first one to tell you that he's not a home run hitter. The second-year infielder had just two homers in 170 at-bats in 2006, and did not tally his first long ball of this season until July 17th, 289 at-bats into the year.

However, trailing 7-5 in the bottom of the eighth, Negron slayed the Green Monster with a three-run shot, giving the Drive a lead they would not relinquish. Chih-Hsien Chiang added an RBI-double to solidify the 9-7 victory over the visiting Savannah Sand Gnats in the series finale.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, the Drive and starter Jimmy James found themselves in trouble. Jonathan Sanchez tripled home two runs in the top of the second, and D.J. Wabick continued his hot hitting versus Greenville with a run-scoring single in the third.

The Drive regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth, with three more runs off Nelson Portillo. Paul Smyth, who finished the game with three hits, got the scoring started with an RBI-groundout. Negron and Argenis Diaz then followed with an RBI-single and double, respectively.

The see-saw battle continued as the Sand Gnats plated three against Brantley New in the sixth. Savannah mimicked the Drive's fifth inning at bat, recording an RBI-groundout from Luis Rivera, RBI-single by Leivi Ventura, and a run-scoring double off the bat of Jonathan Sanchez.

With reliever Bryce Cox (1-1) on the mound for Greenville, the Drive were able to mount their comeback as the right-hander held Savannah at bay. Cox tossed two perfect innings en rout to earning his first victory of the year.

The Drive will look to extend their three-game winning streak as they begin a four-game series Wednesday night with the Charleston RiverDogs, affiliate of the New York Yankees. Right-hander Daniel Bard will take the mound for Greenville with first pitch at 7:05, as Charleston counters with right-hander Mike Dunn.

Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling the Drive ticket office at (864) 240-4500 or by visiting www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

NOTES: The Drive totaled nine home runs in their four-game series with Savannah, accounting for 20 of their 30 runs scored...With his 0-for-4 day, RF Josh Reddick's 10-game hitting streak was snapped...Attendance was 4078

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from July 24, 2007


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