SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Couch Puts RiverDogs to Rest as Drive Sweep Four-Game Set

Published on July 31, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


GREENVILLE, S.C. - Keith Couch penned 7.0 strong innings as the Greenville Drive delivered a four-game sweep with a 5-3 win over the Charleston RiverDogs in South Atlantic League action Sunday night in front of a crowd of 3,302 fans at Fluor Field.

Greenville secured its sixth straight victory in improving to 20-16 this half and 58-48 overall, while Charleston lost its sixth in a row to fall to 15-21 and 41-65.

Felix Sanchez once again kicked the Drive into gear to help them to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The designated hitter walked, and then swiped second for his 44th stolen base of the season. Sean Coyle walked as well, and both runners moved up a base on an errant pickoff throw by Charleston's Jose A. Ramirez (5-5). Brandon Jacobs then produced the first run with a sacrifice fly, and Christian Vazquez cracked a RBI single to cap the rally.

Keith Couch (5-3) had his way with the RiverDogs early, but the Drive right-hander showed some vulnerability in the top of the fourth. Shane Brown singled and was driven home on Taylor Grote's second double of the night, making the score 2-1 in favor of Greenville.

Ramirez authored scoreless second, third, and fourth innings to keep the RiverDogs around, but was touched up for three tallies in the fifth as the Drive forged a 5-1 cushion.

Sean Coyle rapped a two-run double down the left field line for a 4-1 Greenville advantage, and came in to touch the plate when the RiverDogs' Jose Mojica couldn't get a handle on Jacobs' infield single.

Charleston answered back with two markers in the top of seventh to cut the Greenville advantage to 5-3.

Gary Sanchez reached second on a fielding error by Jacobs in left field, and eventually completed his trip around the bases on Jose Mojica's RBI single through the left side of the infield. Jose Toussen continued his torrid hitting two batters later by slapping an opposite field RBI single to bring home Mojica and bring the RiverDogs within two runs.

Ramirez was up-and-down throughout, but worked a season-high 8.0 innings to pick up his first complete game for Manager Aaron Ledesma and company. The 21-year old righty permitted the five runs (three earned) on seven hits and four walks, while fanning six.

Couch also spun 7.0 frames, outdoing Ramirez by allowing just the three runs on six hits and a walk, while notching four punch outs.

Michael Olmsted ensured the Drive would be able to bust out the brooms with scoreless eighth and ninth innings which garnered him his third save of the campaign.

Charleston heads to Asheville to begin a four-game series with the Tourists on Monday at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Vidal Nuno (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to make his debut for the RiverDogs, versus right-hander Tyler Matzek (1-2, 8.00 ERA) of the Colorado Rockies' affiliate.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 31, 2011


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