Drive Head in Reverse Against Hot Rods, Lose 7-3
September 2, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Greenville, SC - Wednesday's game between the Drive and Bowling Green Hot Rods could hardly be considered a clean game by either team at Fluor Field, as the two teams combined four errors and 10 walks.
But it was the Hot Rods (64-69, 30-33) who came away with a 7-3 victory, with Greenville (69-64, 30-35) and Bowling Green having now split the first two games of the series.
Starting pitcher Caleb Clay (5-7) lasted just two innings for the Drive, after surrendering three runs in the top of the second. The right-hander got off to a rocky start in the first inning, but held the Hot Rods scoreless after they put runners on second and third with only one out.
The Hot Rods would not be shutout in the second inning as John Mollicone pushed across the game's first run with an RBI-groundout. Anthony Scelfo and Jake Jefferies each chipped in with a run-scoring single, giving Bowling Green a three-run advantage.
Thomas DiBenedetto gave the Drive their first run in the bottom of the second, when his sacrifice fly scored Ty Weeden, who drew a leadoff walk. But the Hot Rods countered Greenville when Mollicone tallied an RBI-single in the top of the third.
Greenville cut their deficit to two runs when they loaded the bases with three straight walks to begin the fourth inning. But they were only able to score one run, on Casey Kelly's groundout, as reliever Tyree Hayes (7-4) struckout Pete Hissey and induced Ryan Lavarnway into an inning-ending groundout.
An error proved extremely costly for the Drive in the top of the fifth, in which Scelfo made them pay. With two outs and a man at first, Jeremy Beckham hit a routine grounder to shortstop that was misplayed by Kelly. Scelfo came up next and promptly jacked one over the Green Monster, giving the centerfielder four RBIs in the game.
Mitch Dening accounted for Greenville's final run, coming in the bottom of the seventh, when he leadoff with a double and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
The Drive and Hot Rods conclude their series on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Stolmy Pimentel (10-7, 3.59 ERA) will take the mound for Greenville in the rubber match, as Bowling Green counters with their third straight southpaw, Matt Moore (8-5, 3.10 ERA).
In addition to tomorrow being Dollar Drink Night, the Drive will honor 2009 Hall of Famer, Anderson native, and Red Sox great, Jim Rice. Rice will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and then be honored on the field during the game. 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 September 2, 2009
- Drive Head in Reverse Against Hot Rods, Lose 7-3 - Greenville Drive
- 'Hoppers escape Hickory with 6-3 win - Hickory Crawdads
- BlueClaws Lose Home Finale - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Scelfo Powers Hot Rods Past Drive 7-3 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Kannapolis comes closer with 5-1 win over West Virginia - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Late-Game Heroics Lift Suns To Series Victory Over Lakewood - Hagerstown Suns
- Playoff Hopes In Doubt After Loss To Kannapolis - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Cesario Smashes Asheville To Victory - Asheville Tourists
- Tourists score four in eighth, beat Legends 6-2 - Lexington Legends
- Charleston Pitching Outlasts Braves - Rome Emperors
- Dannemiller Lands Female Executive Of Year Award - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- RiverDogs Conquer Rome Again, 4-0, In 13 Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- Runzler Gets Call to the Big Leagues - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns Saving Their Best For Last Homestand Of 2009 - Hagerstown Suns
- Ratliff, Satin Promoted To St. Lucie - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Walk-Off Win Propels GreenJackets To Sweep Of Gnats - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park's Field Selected Best in South Atlantic League - Charleston RiverDogs
- Logan County Little League Honored by Hot Rods - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Monell's Two Home Runs Keep Jackets in Chase - Augusta GreenJackets
- Fan Appreciation Night Tonight, Roof-man and Playoffs Next Week - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Norris and Lombardozzi Selected to South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star Team - Hagerstown Suns
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
