Drive Come-from-Behind for 3-1 Victory
Published on April 13, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Charleston, WV - For the first seven innings of Sunday's contest, it looked as if the Drive's longest winning streak since June 26-28 of last season was going to come to an end. However, the Drive (7-4) scored all three of their runs in the top of the eighth and held off the Power (3-8) for a 3-1 victory to run their winning streak to five games.
Power starter Amaury Rivas allowed just three hits and a walk over 5.0 innings with four strikeouts before giving way to the bullpen. Rob Bryson (0-1) picked up where Rivas left off, allowing just a hit over the sixth and seventh innings.
However, in the eighth the Drive busted through as Che-Hsuan Lin led off the inning with a single and Aaron Reza followed by reaching base on an error. Mike Jones tied the game with a run-scoring single to chase Bryson from the game.
With Wes Etheridge on the mound, it looked as if the Power would get out of the inning with the game tied as he induced Manny Arambarris into a groundout. But David Mailman knocked in the eventual game-winning runs as he delivered a two-out, two-run single.
Making his first professional start in the United States, newly acquired Terumasa Matsuo pitched effectively over four full innings, allowing West Virginia's only run on two hits and three walks, while fanning five. The only blemish on the Japanese-born pitcher's line was the solo homer he surrendered to John Alonso in the second inning.
Relievers Ryne Lawson (1-0) and Joseph Guerra continued the bullpen's recent trend of shutting down opposing batters as the two combined on 5.0 scoreless innings. Lawson scattered three hits and two walks over 3.0 innings while Guerra added 2.0 perfect frames to earn his first save.
The Drive will look to complete their first sweep of the 2008 season as the two teams conclude their four-game series Monday morning with first pitch set for 10:35 A.M. at Appalachian Power Park. Right-hander Chris Province will toe the rubber for Greenville as West Virginia counters with right-hander Roque Mercedes.
The Drive return home to Fluor Field at the West End on Tuesday, April 15th. Jackie Robinson Day, presented by Michelin, with post-game fireworks kicks off the Drive's second home stand of the season as they host the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
For more information about single-game tickets, ticket plans, luxury accommodations, or group outings, visit www.greenvilledrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
NOTES: The Drive bullpen has posted a 1.04 ERA over the last 5 games (2 ER/17.1 IP)...OF Josh Reddick has not played in any of the games in West Virginia as he is home in Savannah, GA for his brother's wedding
South Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2008
- Drive Come-from-Behind for 3-1 Victory - Greenville Drive
- Grasshoppers Jump on Kuo and Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Lasater, Five-Run First Powers Greensboro Past Asheville, 12-2 - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Intimidators Score Five Runs In The Eighth To Beat Hickory 5-3 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Captains take the finale in Hagerstown - Lake County Captains
- Brown drives in game-winner to give BlueClaws a 7-4 win in 11 innings - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Villalona's Grand Slam Leads Augusta Past Lexington - Augusta GreenJackets
- Lakewood Wins 7-4 in 11 Innings - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Seventh Inning Slam Propels Augusta To Victory - Lexington Legends
- Late Rally Falls Short, Suns Lose To Captains - Hagerstown Suns
- Jimenez Leads Comeback, Gnats Win 11-7 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Drive Rally Past Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Bradley Suttle Goes on DL, Medina Rejoins RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- 'Birds Win on Wild Pitch, 2-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Craft to the Disabled List; Drive Receive Matsuo - Greenville Drive
- Captains Shutout in Doubleheader - Lake County Captains
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