Drive Drop Tough One to GreenJackets, 5-2
May 21, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
The Drive (21-21) followed Thursday night's resounding victory over the Augusta GreenJackets (26-16) with a tough 5-2 loss in a game that was tied entering the ninth inning.
With the score tied, 2-2, after eight innings, the GreenJackets put together a three-run rally in the top of the ninth to take the lead for good. Reliever Anatanaer Batista (1-2) took the loss for the Drive while Augusta's Ryan Verdugo (1-1) picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief.
After coming on in relief for starter Ryan Pressly to start the seventh inning, Batista managed to keep Augusta in check until the top of the ninth. With two outs and runners on the corners, Batista committed a balk to bring in the go-ahead run. Augusta's Hector Sanchez walked to keep the inning alive, and Nick Liles and Sharlon Schoop followed that with consecutive singles. Schoop's base hit extended the lead to 4-2 before Ryan Lollis added an RBI-single of his own to make it 5-2. Jordan Flasher relieved Batista at that point and recorded the final out of the inning.
Greenville's loss overshadowed a strong effort by Pressly, who gave up only two runs in six innings while striking out five. However, Pressly's counterpart, Jorge Bucardo, along with relievers Chris Gloor and the aforementioned Verdugo, limited Greenville's offense just enough to take away any opportunity Pressly might have had to pick up a win.
The GreenJackets opened the scoring in the top of second inning. Luke Anders singled and then advanced to third as Tommy Joseph reached on an error by Drive third baseman Michael Almanzar. Anders would score on Hector Sanchez's double-play ground ball.
The Drive answered in the bottom of the third with a run of their own, as Ronald Bermudez drove home Derrik Gibson with a one-out RBI single to centerfield.
Augusta regained the lead in the top of the fifth with some slick base-running. The GreenJackets put runners on the corners with two outs and had Evan Crawford at the plate. Ryan Lollis, the runner on first, broke for second. After Drive catcher Dan Butler's throw to second base, Nick Liles alertly broke from third base toward home, and beat Zach Gentile's throw to give the GreenJackets a 2-1 lead. Pressly limited the damage to that point as he struck out Crawford to end the top of the inning with Lollis on second base.
Once again, Greenville answered right back. Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the bottom of the same inning with an opposite-field solo home run over the Green Monster to tie the score at 2. The score remained that way until Augusta's ninth-inning rally.
The Drive and GreenJackets continue their four-game series on Saturday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Kendal Volz (3-2, 3.22 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Augusta counters with right-hander BJ Salsbury (4-2, 3.40 ERA).
Tomorrow night is also "As Seen on TV" night at Fluor Field, with infomercials throughout the game featuring Drive pitchman, Willy Bays. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 21, 2010
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- Three-Run Ninth Gives Jackets 5-2 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
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- Tourists Trailed 4-0, but Win 7-6 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- "Let Freedom Ring" Concert Moved To AL Brown Performing Arts Center - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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