Drive Can't Hold Onto Lead, Lose 4-3 in Extra Innings
August 30, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Lexington, KY - Looking to earn his 11th win of the season, Fabian Williamson tossed five strong innings versus the Lexington Legends on Sunday. The left-hander left the game with the Drive (68-62, 29-33) holding a two-run advantage over the Houston Astros affiliate.
However, the bullpen could not hold onto the lead and eventually Eric Suttle delivered a walk-off double in the bottom of the twelfth inning, giving the Legends (62-70, 26-36) a 4-3 win at Applebee's Park.
Greenville built an early 2-0, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Pete Hissey and Casey Kelly began the Drive's first at bat with back-to-back singles. Will Middlebrooks eventually collected an RBI-single, scoring Hissey, and extending his hit streak to 15 games.
An inning later Mike Thomas hit his second home run of the year, belting a first pitch offering from Jordan Lyles over the leftfield bleachers. Following a Legends run in the bottom of the third, the Drive regained their two-run lead in the fourth when Ty Weeden led off with a triple and scored on a two-out single by Hissey.
But the Legends again cut the lead to one in the seventh. Russell Dixon singled off Lance McClain, went to second on a wild pitch, and then to third on a fly ball. He then scored on Jay Austin's groundout. In their next at bat, Brian Pellegrini took advantage of being ahead in the count, belting a 2-0 pitch from McClain for the game-tying homer.
After neither team was able to push across a run in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh innings, Suttle laced the game-winner over centerfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker with two outs. Felix Ventura (2-7) was tagged with the loss after tossing 3.2 innings, even though Suttle's hit came off Will Latimer.
The Drive and Legends conclude their three-game series on Monday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Applebee's Park. Right-hander Jeremy Kehrt (1-1, 3.51 ERA) will face off against lefty Brad Dydalewicz (7-5, 3.87 ERA) in the rubber match.
The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Tuesday, September 1st, when they begin the final homestand of the 2009 regular season. Tuesday is also Spartanburg Community Night at the ballpark...For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
GAME NOTES:
Will Middlebrooks' 15-game hit streak ranks 2nd on the Drive this season...Middlebrooks also has the longest hit streak on the team - a 17-game hit streak (July 16th to August 2nd)...Pete Hissey ran his season-high hit streak to 12 games...with his 10th inning double, Ryan Lavarnway tied Lars Anderson (2007) for the single-season franchise record of 35
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