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Greenville Drive

Drive Can't Give Braves First Loss of 2010, Lose 5-4

April 12, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Following two innings of play Monday night at Fluor Field, the Drive (1-4) looked like they would give the visiting Rome Braves (5-0) their first loss. Greenville struck for four runs, including a three-spot in the bottom of the first, mounting a 4-1 lead.

But it would be the final runs that the Rome pitching staff would allow, as they went on to claim a 5-4 victory in the series opener, to remain undefeated in the early going of the 2010 South Atlantic League schedule.

The Drive collected half of their six hits during their scoring innings, including two by first baseman Chris McGuiness. McGuiness plated Greenville's first run with an RBI-single, and the Drive were able to take advantage of two walks and an error for two more runs. An inning later, McGuiness added an RBI-double.

After Rome was able to pull within two runs in the top of the third on Kyle Rose's RBI-double, it took until the seventh inning for the game's final scoring to occur. Rome sent seven batters to the plate, scoring three times while only one was earned, off of Pete Ruiz (1-1).

The trio of Cory Rasmus (1-0), Luis Avilan, and Tyrelle Harris not only held the Drive scoreless over the final four innings, but did not allow a hit either. Greenville's final hits came in the bottom of the fifth on a single by McGuiness and a double by Jeremy Hazelbaker.

Rasmus walked Mike Thomas and Christian Vazquez in the sixth inning, for the Drive's final two baserunners, before Harris closed the door in the ninth for his second save.

The Drive will look to rebound on Tuesday when they host the Braves for the second contest of the four-game series. Right-hander Yeiper Castillo (0-0, 3.86 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, as Rome counters with right-hander Chris Masters (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

As Opening Week, presented by Carolina First, continues tomorrow at Fluor Field, it will be the first BI-LO "Tasty Tuesday". All kids 12 and under will receive a voucher for a free hot dog, bag of chips, and a 12 ounce Pepsi product. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

GAME NOTES:

Attendance was 4,591...Jeremy Hazelbaker finished 1-for-3 and now has a hit in each of the first 4 games of the season...he also swiped his league-leading 6th stolen base...McGuiness ranks 7th in the South Atlantic League with a .474 average.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 12, 2010


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