SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive drop two versus GreenJackets

Published on August 21, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive's offense couldn't produce many runs Monday night as they lost 2-1 in the conclusion of Sunday's game, and 7-1 in a seven-inning affair with the GreenJackets. With both losses the Drive are now mathematically out of contention for the Southern Division second half championship, and sit at 29-28 for the second half.

In the conclusion of Sunday's game, which was suspended in the third inning due to raining, the GreenJackets added a run in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 2-0. Chad Rhoades relieved Hunter Jones to start the inning, and with one out surrendered a one-out solo home run to Mike Mooney.

The Drive would threaten in their last at-bat, cutting Augusta's lead in half, but would end up leaving runners on first and second. With two outs, Bubba Bell singled to center, and advanced to third on Yahmed Yema's single. Tony Granadillo then singled home Bell. Unfortunately the rally came to an end when Aaron Bates ended the inning with a hard comebacker to Taylor Widing, who picked up his third save of the season.

Mario Pena, who started yesterday before the rains came, took the loss allowing Augusta's first run in 3.0 innings of work on five hits. Bryan Milikan ran his record to 3-1 as he earned the victory, continuing the suspended game.

Game two saw the GreenJackets jump out to an early 3-0 lead as they pounded Drive starter Michael Bowden. Antoan Richardson led off with a walk and scored on Ben Copeland's double to left center. Eugenio Velez then tripled him home before scoring on Mooney's sacrifice fly. With two outs, the skies opened up again and dumped rain on the Upstate, causing an hour and 27 minute rain delay.

When the teams came back onto the field, Ismael Casillas came on in relief of Bowden and recorded the final out of the inning. The Drive answered back in their first at-bat, scoring one run. After Jeff Clark got the first two batters to ground out, Yema singled to right and scored as Granadillo followed with an RBI-double down the leftfield line.

Augusta would extend their lead with two unearned runs in the top of the third. With two outs, Velez reached on fielding error by Bates. After Velez stole second and third, he scored on Mooney's triple to right center. David Maroul then collected an RBI as he singled home Mooney.

The GreenJackets put the game away with a run each in the fifth and sixth innings, taking a 7-1 lead. In the fifth Copeland led off the inning with a triple down the right field line and scored when Velez hit a sac fly to center. An inning later Augusta added another run. Antoan Richardson hit a one-out single and advanced all the way to third on back-to-back wild pitches. Velez then singled him home.

The Drive and GreenJackets conclude their four-game series tomorrow night at West End Field with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Southpaw Michael Rozier will toe the rubber for Greenville as they try to avoid being swept. Augusta will counter with right-hander Kevin Pichardo.

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

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 21, 2006


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