SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Begin Second Half with 5-4 Loss to Tourists

June 25, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Asheville, NC - Despite a new look lineup after the promotion of the Drive's three All-Stars - first baseman Anthony Rizzo, catcher Tim Federowicz, and outfielder Anthony Rizzo - the offense seemed unfazed, banging out 10 hits in the second half opener.

However, the Asheville Tourists (27-43, 1-0) were able to match the Drive hit-for-hit, and plated two runs in the eighth inning of the usually reliable Greenville (39-30, 0-1) bullpen to capture a 5-4 victory Thursday night at McCormick Field.

Greenville grabbed the lead right away on a solo homerun from Ryan Lavarnway, his eighth of the year, in the top of the first inning.

The Tourists answered right back in the bottom of the inning when Jimmy Cesario picked up an infield hit with one out, and Pacheco demolished a two-run shot over the tall wall in right-center field, giving Asheville a 2-1 lead.

The Drive came back with two runs of their own in the top of the second inning, banging out three consecutive one-out doubles. Oscar Tejeda and David Marks provided RBI two-baggers, putting Greenville ahead, 3-2.

Asheville drew even in the bottom of the third when Scott Robinson led off with a double down the left field line. Jimmy Cesario laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt that almost went for a hit, but Cesario was thrown out by a half step at first. Jordan Pacheco then followed by lifting a fly ball into left field, just deep enough to score Robinson from third. The sac fly was Pacheco's third RBI of the game, and it tied the game at 3-3.

The score remained locked at 3-3 until the seventh frame, as Asheville starter Ethan Hollingsworth overcame some early trouble to keep the Tourists in the game. He came on to start the seventh inning before allowing a one-out walk to Oscar Tejeda and another RBI double to David Marks. After Marks gave Greenville a 4-3 lead, Hollingsworth was replaced by Robinson Fabian (2-5), who worked 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

The Tourists came up in the bottom of the eighth trailing by a run against relief pitcher Felix Ventura (1-3). Cesario led things off with a base hit up the middle and took second on a passed ball by Lavarnway. After Pacheco grounded out to short for the first out, David Christensen picked up his second infield single of the game, putting runners on the corners. Greenville replaced Ventura with left-hander Lance McClain, but Christensen promptly stole second base to put runners on second and third, and Tyler Massey laced a two-run single into right field to give the Tourists a 5-4 lead.

Adam Jorgenson came on in the ninth and worked a scoreless inning to earn his eleventh save of the season.

The Drive and Tourists will meet again Friday night in game two of the four-game series with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville will send southpaw Nick Hagadone (0-1, 5.14 ERA) to the hill as Asheville counters with right-hander Jonnathan Aristil (0-3, 4.95 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field and begin the home portion of the second half of the regular season on the Saturday, July 4th. First pitch is set for 6:05 PM as Fluor Field will stay open after the game for fans to view the City of Greenville's fireworks from the field. Single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from June 25, 2009


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