SAL1 Greenville Drive

Despite rally, Drive fall to RiverDogs 6-5

Published on June 14, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, SC - Despite rallying back from a three-run deficit in the eighth and ninth innings, the Greenville Drive couldn't escape defeat as they allowed the Charleston RiverDogs to score in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 walk-off victory Wednesday night at Joseph P. Riley Park. Greenville has now lost four of their last five games and have dropped to 33-31 on the season.

The RiverDogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a run off Drive starter Chris Jones in the bottom of the first. After Marcos Vechionacci reached with a one-out walk, Jose Tabata and Ben Jones hit back-to-back singles to load the bases. Vechionacci would score the lone run of the inning as C.J. Henry grounded out.

Greenville would plate two runs in the top of the third to take their only lead of the game. Dominic Ramos hit a one-out single and Yahmed Yema followed with his fifth home run of the season to right. Four of Yema's home runs on the season have come away from West End Field.

However, the lead was short-lived as the RiverDogs collected a run in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 2-2. With two outs Jones singled to right and Henry walked. Eduardo Nunez then hit another single to right, plating Jones.

Three runs in the bottom of the fifth, all charged to Jones before getting an out, allowed Charleston to regain the lead. Vechionacci and Tabata led off the inning, setting up Jones. Jones then belted a three-run shot to left for his seventh homer of the season.

The Drive would claw their way back with two runs in the eighth and another run in the ninth to tie the game at 5-5. In the eighth, Ramos, Yema, and Mark Wagner hit three-straight one-out singles to load the bases. Two batters later Logan Sorensen would hit a two-out, two-run double to right. However, the Drive couldn't take advantage as they left runners stranded on second and third when Mitch Stachowsky struck out.

An inning later Greenville scored their final run of the game. Bubba Bell, who was pinch hitting for Matt Mercurio, led off the inning with a walk and Christian Lara then reached with a single. Jay Johnson, who went 0-for-3 ending his hitting streak at 12-games, laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Ramos then grounded out, allowing Bell to score.

Matt Hancock, who came on in relief in the eighth inning, suffered the loss by allowing the RiverDogs to score a run in the bottom of the ninth. Reegie Corona led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on Austin Jackson's sacrifice bunt. Vechionacci was then intentionally walked to setup the double play. Tabata then walked to load the bases. Hancock surrendered another walk to Jones to allow the game-winning run to score. It was Jones' fourth RBI of the evening.

The Drive and RiverDogs conclude their four-game series with a doubleheader Thursday at Joseph P. Riley Park with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Game one will feature right-hander Clay Buchholz of the Drive versus left-hander Zach Kroenke for the RiverDogs. In game two the Greenville will send left-hander Tim Cox to the mound as Charleston will counter with left-hander Abel Gomez.

The Drive return home to West End Field on June 16 to closeout the first half of the regular season with a three-game series versus the Asheville Tourists. Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling the Drive Ticket Office at 864-240-4528 or online at www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 14, 2006


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