SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Drown RiverDogs, 7-3

Published on August 16, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive pounced all over the Charleston RiverDogs for a five-run first inning Wednesday afternoon at West End Field, en route to a 7-3 victory. The win improves the Drive to 28-23 in the second half, and 63-58 overall.

The RiverDogs scored once in the top of the first, taking an early 1-0 lead, but it would be their only lead of the game. Tim Battle reached base with a one-out infield single and then stole second. After a groundout by Reegie Corona allowed Battle to advance to third, he would score on a wild pitch from Drive starter Michael Bowden.

The Drive quickly erased the one-run deficit as they sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, plating five runs versus RiverDogs starter Bryan Villalona. Christian Lara led off the onslaught with a single and Mickey Hall reached on a walk. Things then got interesting as Yahmed Yema singled to Battle in right where a fielding error allowed Lara to score. As Yema and Hall were trying to advance to second and third, respectively, a throwing error by Battle allowed Hall to attempt to score. However, a good throw by third baseman Marcos Vechionacci got Hall out at the plate.

Greenville's inning did not falter though, as Tony Granadillo was hit by a pitch and Aaron Bates followed with an RBI single to right. Yema scored on the play, and another fielding error by Battle allowed Granadillo to score all the way from first. Luis Soto then doubled home Bates and scored Greenville's last run of the inning on Dominic Ramos' groundout.

Two innings later the Drive extended their lead to six runs as Mitch Stachowsky belted a home run with Bubba Bell aboard. It was Stachowsky's seventh long ball of the season.

Charleston would score two more runs in the top of the eighth, both with two outs. Austin Jackson and Battle finished off the RiverDogs scoring with back-to-back home runs off reliever Kyle Fernandes.

Michael Bowden picked up his ninth win of the season to tie Clay Buchholz, who was promoted to Wilmington on Monday, for the team-lead. In 5.0 innings, the right-hander allowed just one run on two hits and a walk, while striking out three.

Bubba Bell, who was transferred back to the Drive on Tuesday, led the team offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate.

The Drive and RiverDogs continue their four-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:05 PM and game two will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Greenville will send two southpaws to the hill in the twin bill, with Michael Rozier in game one and Tim Cox in game two. Charleston will counter with two left-handers as well in Wilkins Arias in game one and Garrett Patterson in game two.

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.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 16, 2006


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