Braves Even Series with 4-3 Win over Drive

Published on August 30, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release

Rome, GA - The Rome Braves took advantage of the Greenville Drive's shaky defense on Sunday afternoon in Rome to come away with a 4-3 victory and even the five-game series at one game apiece.

The Braves (24-38, 55-77) scored twice in the first and fifth innings, and thanks to three Drive (30-32, 68-64) errors, all four runs were unearned. In the first, a Javier Guerra fielding error and a Hector Lorenzana missed catch at second base extended the inning, and Matt Tellor made the Drive pay with a two-run single off Ben Taylor (0-2).

Guerra's second miscue of the game allowed a Rome run to score in the fifth, and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Edgerton tacked on another run.

Braves starter Sean Furney (7-7) held the Drive to two runs over seven innings of work to get the win.

The Drive took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Danny Mars drew a one-out walk and came home when Andrew Benintendi lined a run-scoring double to center.

Three consecutive singles by Rafael Devers, Benintendi and Nick Longhi loaded the bases for the Drive in the third, and Guerra followed by drawing a walk to bring home a run.

In the top of the ninth, the Drive plated a run when Michael Chavis' fly ball was misplayed, and they had the tying and go-ahead runs on base with two outs, but Sean McLaughlin bore down and finished the game to record his second save.

Taylor took the loss for the Drive despite not allowing an earned run in five innings. Mario Alcantara followed with three scoreless frames in relief. Benintendi and Devers had two hits apiece for Greenville in defeat.

The series in Rome continues at 7:00 PM on Monday night. LH Jake Drehoff (3-1, 2.74) starts for the Drive against Braves LH Trevor Belicek (0-0, 3.72).

South Atlantic League Stories from August 30, 2015

• Offense Sputters as 'Dads Fall 2-1 - Hickory Crawdads
• Delgado Shines in 2-1 Victory - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Offensive Explosion for BlueClaws in 15-8 Sunday Win in Greensboro - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Suns Suffer One-Run Loss to Kannapolis, 5-4 - Hagerstown Suns
• Lechich Homers, Intimidators Hold on Late for Win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Power Wins Second Half Division Title - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Braves Even Series with 4-3 Win over Drive - Greenville Drive
• RiverDogs, Tourists Rained out Sunday - Charleston RiverDogs
• Four-Run Eighth Sends WV to Division-Clinching Win over Legends - Lexington Legends
• Rome Gets Sunday Afternoon Win - Rome Emperors
• Sand Gnats Postponed Due to Rain Sunday - Savannah Sand Gnats
• WV Power Game Notes: August 30, 2015 vs. Lexington - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Crawdads Shut out to Start Road Trip - Hickory Crawdads

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