Drive Defeat Braves in 11-Inning, Walkoff Win
June 14, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive closed out their first half home schedule on Thursday with some theatrics in a 3-2 defeat of the the Rome Braves in 11 innings.
In the bottom of the 11th, Jordan Wren drew a bases-loaded walk, the third free pass of the inning issued by Braves (40-28) reliever Kelvin Rodriguez (2-1), to clinch the victory.
The game was a pitcher's duel from the start, as Denyi Reyes and Bruce Zimmermann traded strikeouts in the first five innings. Both the Drive (23-43) and the Braves combined to muster just seven hits in that time, and only one baserunner reached scoring position for each team.
Reyes was pulled after six scoreless innings, and he notched his second 10-strikeout game of the year. He became the second pitcher in Drive history to record multiple double-digit strikeout games, joining Mike Shawaryn, who accomplished the feat last season.
Greenville was able to break through in the sixth with a Lorenzo Cedrola double and a Tanner Nishioka RBI single. That run would be the only run given up by Zimmermann on the day, and he did not issue a walk in seven innings.
Cedrola's double extended his hitting streak to 12 games, which matches Victor Acosta's streak from May 25th to June 9th as the longest of the season.
Rome finally evened the score and got in the board in the top of the ninth in similar fashion to the Drive's earlier run, as Taylor Ahearn allowed a single from Derian Cruz and a RBI double from Jefrey Ramos.
Both teams scored in the 10th inning to keep the game tied. Rome advanced the free runner to third on a groundout, and later scored him on another groundout from William Contreras.
The Drive saw their free baserunner gunned down at the plate by Braves centerfielder Drew Waters after a Jordan Wren double to lead off the inning. Nishioka was able to tie the game up, however, as he doubled to right field to bring Wren in to score.
Juan Florentino (5-1) came in to pitch the 11th and stranded the free runner at third after a sacrifice bunt, strikeout and groundout. He is now tied with Reyes for the team lead in victories.
Ahearn allowed just one earned run in four innings of relief for the Drive while striking out three.
Greenville will close out the first half with a three-game set against the Charleston RiverDogs in the Lowcountry. First pitch for Friday's series opener is at 7:05 PM. Drive right-hander Kutter Crawford (0-3, 2.71) makes his final start prior to Tuesday's South Atlantic League All-Star Game, and he will face RiverDogs right-hander Rony Garcia (2-3, 3.83).
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