SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Drop Series Opener To Intimidators, 6-4

July 8, 2006 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Kannapolis, NC - The Greenville Drive's woes continued Saturday night as they dropped the series opener to Kannapolis Intimidators at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium 6-4, it was also the Drive's third straight loss. With the loss Greenville fell to 10-7 in the second half and are three and a half games behind first place Augusta.

The Drive took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on two hits. Jay Johnson hit a leadoff single. With two outs, Mark Wagner doubled home Johnson with a two-bagger to right.

However the lead did not last long as the last place Intimidators tagged starter Clay Buchholz for three runs in the bottom half of the first. Paulo Orlando doubled to lead off the inning and scored two batters later as Fernando Valenzuela, Jr. hit a ground-rule double to center. With two outs Juan Camacho hit a two-run shot, his second homer of the season, to right.

The Intimidators extended their lead to 4-1 with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Francisco Hernandez hit a one out double to center, plating Brenton Metheny who had reached on a base on balls.

With two runs in the top of the fifth the Drive got within a run of the Intimidators. Christian Lara led off the inning with a single and stole second before Dominic Ramos reached with a walk. After a Luis Soto fly out which allowed both runners to advance a base, Wagner singled in both runners.

Kannapolis extended their lead back to three runs after scoring twice in the bottom of the eighth off Blake Maxwell. With two outs Camacho singled to left and Hernandez belted a two-run homer to right.

Greenville added a run in the ninth but it just wasn't enough. Mitch Stachowsky walked and then advanced to second on Lara's two out single. Another single by Johnson allowed Stachowsky to score.

Buchholz (4-4) took the loss for Greenville as he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks. The right-hander struck out five batters.

The Drive and Intimidators continue their three-game series tomorrow at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium with first pitch set for 6:05 PM. Greenville will send right-hander Michael Bowden to the hill as Kannapolis counters with left-hander Clayton Richard.

The Drive return home to West End Field on Wednesday, July 12th when they host the Asheville Tourists at 12:05 PM for a "Businessperson's Special."

Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling the Drive Ticket Office at 864-240-4528 or online at www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from July 8, 2006


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