SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Hang on for 7-5 Win Versus Braves

Published on August 3, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Rome, GA - With an early start on a steamy day in the "Peach State," it appeared that the Drive (60-49, 22-17) would finally have an uneventful game versus the Rome Braves (42-66, 17-21). However, after jumping out to a 7-0 lead through three innings, Greenville saw their lead almost completely evaporate late as they hung on for a 7-5 win at State Mutual Stadium.

The Drive began the game just as hot as the first pitch temperature of 95 degrees, striking for a pair of runs in the top of the first. The speedy duo of Felix Sanchez and Wilfred Pichardo led off the game with back-to-back infield singles, and then promptly pulled off a double steal. Henry Ramos' grounder scored Sanchez and Bogaerts followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Pichardo.

Two innings later, Greenville kept their foot on throttle by sending all nine batters to the plate, collecting five runs on six hits and sending Rome's Caleb Brewer (5-9) to the showers early. The top of the third was started by another infield single by Sanchez, who then swiped his second base of the game before scoring on Ramos' single. Bogaerts delivered a two-run double, and Michael Almanzar and Carson Blair each added an RBI with a single and double, respectively.

Kyle Stroup (3-5) continued to pitch very effectively since being activated from the disabled list with a strained oblique, limiting the Braves to three hits and a walk, while striking out three in 5.0 scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Matt Lipka in the bottom of the first before retiring the next eight batters he faced.

However, after a perfect inning in relief by Tyler Lockwood in the bottom of the sixth, the momentum began to shift in the Braves direction. Rome finally got on the scoreboard with Robby Hefflinger's RBI-double in the seventh, and added another run in the eighth on Chris Garcia's RBI-single.

Charle Rosario ran into a wall of trouble in bottom of the ninth, that if manager Billy McMillon had any hair it would have quickly turned gray. The right-hander allowed three consecutive hits to begin the frame, including a two-run double by matt Weaver. Rosario did induce Lipka to hit into a double play for the inning's first outs, but that allowed another Braves run.

Following a double off the bat of Tommy La Stella, Rosario was lifted from the game for Michael Gleason. The Drive were able to breathe a sigh of as the right-hander struckout Edward Salcedo, the only batter he faced, to record his fourth save of the season.

The Drive and Braves conclude their four-game series on Thursday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Brandon Workman (3-6, 3.94 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville in the finale while Rome counters with right-hander Gary Moran (4-1, 3.50 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Friday, August 5th for a four-game series with the Lexington Legends. 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: With his 2 stolen bases, Felix Sanchez now has 46 on the season, tops in the South Atlantic League...he is 17 from tying the franchise record of 63, held by Jeremy Hazelbaker (2010), with 31 games remaining

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 3, 2011


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