SAL Greenville Drive

Drive Comeback Falls Short as Braves Take Tight 3-2 Ballgame

Published on July 7, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release


The Greenville Drive (6-7, 42-37) and Rome Braves (7-6, 37-42) fought out their closest game of the series thus far on Friday night, as the Braves eclipsed the Drive by one in a tightly contested pitchers' duel at Fluor Field.

Drive starter Juan Daniel Encarnacion dealt from the mound Friday night, allowing just one run on five hits to the 22 batters he faced in five innings of work - the lone run coming off a homer in the top of the third. He'd pick up seven strikeouts as well while issuing just one run.

The 1-0 Braves lead seemed well in hand throughout the next three innings as Braves starter Tyler Owens thwarted the Drive at every turn. He'd relinquish just three hits in his five innings of work, none in succession, keeping the Drive from mounting any momentum.

But the Drive would bring one home in the sixth as Braves reliever JJ Niekro took over on the mound for Owens. A Nick Decker single, a passed ball and a Karson Simas single put runners on for Roman Anthony, who slashed a double off the Green Monster in left field, bringing home Decker to knot the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless sixth for the Braves, the tides turned in their second go-around against reliever Nathan Landry. With two outs and one on, Ignacio Alvarez doubled to center field, boosting the lead to 2-1 before he moved to third on a throwing error. A wild pitch from Landry brought Alvarez home, making it 3-1.

The game remained at 3-1 through the bottom of the seventh, through the eighth, and through the top of the ninth as Drive reliever Brock Bell and Braves reliever J.J. Niekro kept their respective opposing bats at bay.

Greenville nearly mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth as Roman Anthony blasted the first pitch he saw over the Green Monster for his sixth homer of the year, cutting the lead to 3-2. Brainer Bonaci and Tyler Miller each reached on singles and were stuck on the corners as Ronald Rosario came up to bat with a chance to plate at least the tying run. But he'd strikeout on three pitches, ending the comeback and giving the Braves a 3-2 victory.

The Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox) return to action tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. for the fifth game of the six-game series at Fluor Field against the Rome Braves (Atlanta Braves.) The series currently favors the Braves, 3-1.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 7, 2023


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