SAL Greenville Drive

Bryan Gonzalez Homers; Gambrell Strong in Close 3-2 Loss in Greensboro

Published on April 20, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release


A two-run shot to center by right fielder Bryan Gonzalez - a last minute substitute into the lineup tonight - gave the Greenville Drive (4-6) an early 2-0 lead in the second inning but a three-run homer by the Greensboro Grasshoppers (8-3) in the fifth was a enough to eclipse the Drive to take the second game of the six-game series.

The Drive amassed a total of nine hits tonight but went 1-for-14 at the plate with runners in scoring position, dooming their chances to build on their early 2-0 lead. Strikeouts also plagued the Drive's chances as the team collectively struckout 15 times, with all but three players striking out multiple times.

Gonzalez's two-run blast was made possible by a one-out single by Miguel Ugueto in top of the second as Ugueto's liner dropped in. Ugueto would steal second as well, setting up Gonzalez for an RBI-opportunity. But he'd give the Drive more than that as his first long-ball of the year put the Drive up 2-0, early.

Drive starter Grant Gambrell was perfect through 3.1 innings, sending the first 10 batters he faced down in succession, including four on strikes. He'd relinquish only one hit in the fourth before striking out the remaining two batters.

But as the game flipped to the fifth, back-to-back-two-out singles set up an Eli Wilson home run, giving the Grasshoppers the lead, 3-2. Gambrell finished the night tossing five innings, allowing three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Nathan Hickey singled to open the sixth inning and advanced to third after a wild pitch and a balk. But even with no outs, and Hickey at third, the Drive failed to bring in the tying run.

Nate Tellier came on in relief of Gambrell, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up a solitary hit and one walk with one strikeout. He'd be relived by Christopher Troye going the remaining 1.1 innings, allowing no hits and no runs with two strikeouts and two walks.

In the top of the ninth, the Drive would have an opportunity to knot the game as Gonzalez doubled to open the inning. But the Drive's Nick Decker and Gilberto Jimenez would go down on strikeouts and Eddison Paulino would fly out to center to end the game.

The Drive (Boston Red Sox) and Grasshoppers (Pittsburgh Pirates) are back in action at First National Bank Field on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The series between the two teams is tied at 1-1. The Drive return to Fluor Field on April 25 to face the Hudson Valley Renegades (New York Yankees).

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 20, 2023


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