SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Can't Complete Sweep, Lose 7-5

Published on August 15, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - On a night in which the Drive (54-68, 25-28) surpassed the 300,000 fan mark for the second consecutive year, the visiting Lakewood BlueClaws (59-57, 26-25) played the spoiler, handing Greenville a 7-5 loss in the series finale. As was the case in last night game, the Drive found themselves down, but not out, early. Unfortunately the game did not yield the same results.

The BlueClaws used a steady-paced offense, plating runs in five of the first six innings to mount a 7-2 lead. Both teams traded runs in the first with Quintin Berry scoring on a throwing error in the top half of the inning. Jason Place, who finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored, countered with his 11th homer of the season.

C.J. Henry and Alan Robbins added RBI-doubles in the top of the second and third innings, respectively. The Drive cut the lead to a run in the bottom of the third as Josh Reddick singled home Place.

However, after being held scoreless in the fourth, the BlueClaws did the most damage by scoring twice in the next two innings. Robbins collected his second and third RBI of the game, belting a two-run homer off Jimmy James (2-3) in the fifth. An inning later, Adrian Cardenas doubled home a run off reliever Brantley New and later scored when Lakewood executed a double steal.

Those would be the final runs by the BlueClaws, but the lead proved too much for the Drive. Trailing by five runs, Greenville got as close as two. Argenis Diaz doubled, Jason Place singled, and Lars Anderson walked to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh.

All it took was one swing of the bat from Jon Egan to clear bases as he legged out a triple off Matt German. Reliever Richie Lentz was able to keep the Drive in it, holding the BlueClaws scoreless over the final two innings of the game.

Although erratic at times, Scott Michinson was effective enough to earn his second victory with Lakewood. The right-hander allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits and four walks while fanning six. Garet Hill tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn his sixth save.

The Drive now hit the road for a four-game series in Rome, GA with the Braves beginning Thursday night. Right-hander Daniel Bard will toe the rubber for Greenville as Rome counters with lefty Cole Rohrbough. Rome will also have major league journeyman, Julio Franco, in uniform as he recently signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta which calls for a September call-up.

The Drive return home to West End Field on Tuesday, August 21st for a three-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets. Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or by visiting www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

NOTES: 1B Lars Anderson's 10-game hitting streak was snapped after going 0-for-3...Attendance was 4500

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2007


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