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SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive End Homestand with a Crushing 4-2 Loss

May 31, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - On most nights, if your pitchers only allow two hits, you're going to come away with the victory. Unfortunately for the Drive (25-27) their fate was not as good Tuesday night. Trailing 2-1 in the top of the ninth, Asheville (24-28) got a three-run homer off the bat of Dustin Garneau to steal away a 4-2 victory in the series finale at Fluor Field.

The defeat was the first in 22 games for the Drive in 2011 when leading after eight innings.

After five-and-a-half innings, it appeared as if Manuel Rivera's strong effort on the mound would be all for naught, as the southpaw had limited the Tourists to just one hit. But the visiting team took advantage of a pair of walks in the top of the fifth, and manufactured a sacrifice bunt and fly to break a scoreless tie.

But after leaving runners in scoring position in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings, the Drive broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Miles Head drew a one-out walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch before being driven home by Brandon Jacobs' double. Greenville took the lead as Jose Garcia laced an RBI-single up the middle.

Stranding runners would eventually comeback to haunt the Drive, as they finished 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position. With reliever Garrett Rau looking to preserve the one-run lead in the top of the ninth, his third inning of work, the Tourists regained their lead in crushing fashion.

Making his first appearance on the mound since May 22nd, after a brief stint on the disabled list, Rau had pitched two perfect innings in relief before imploding in the ninth. The right-hander issued a pair of walks, to Helder Velazquez and Kyle Parker, before Garneau jumped all over a first pitch fastball.

The Drive now make the eight-hour trek north to Hagerstown, MD for a four-game series with the Northern Division-leading Suns, featuring the 2010 first overall draft pick - outfielder Bryce Harper. Right-hander Miguel Celestino (3-3, 3.83 ERA) gets the ball and will head to the mound in the opener at Municipal Stadium for Greenville, while Hagerstown counters with LHP Bobby Hansen (5-1, 3.86 ERA).

Following their brief road trip, the Drive return home to Fluor Field on Sunday, June 5th for a three-game set with the Lexington Legends, with first pitch set for 4:05 PM. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

GAME NOTES: Attendance was 4,817...Felix Sanchez extended his hit streak to 7-game, during which he is batting .519 (14-for-27) with 3 RBI and 6 runs scored...Drive finished 13-16 in May, their 1st losing record in a month since May 2009 (11-19)...LF Brandon Jacobs was ejected in the bottom of the 8th by home plate umpire Jeremy Riggs after arguing balls and strikes

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