SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive need extra innings versus Tourists, win 5-4

Published on July 13, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - For the second straight game, Mickey Hall provided the heroics that propelled the Greenville Drive to another victory over the Asheville Tourists at West End Field. Hall's one-out, bases loaded single in the bottom of the 11th gave Greenville a thrilling 5-4 for the team's eighth walk-off victory of the season. With the win, the Drive improved to 13-8 and remain in sole possession of second place.

After both teams were held scoreless through the first two innings, the Tourists broke through in the top of the third with a run off Drive starter Michael Rozier. With the bases loaded, Rozier hit Cole Garner with a pitch, allowing Dexter Fowler to score.

Greenville answered right back in the bottom half of the inning with two runs to overtake the lead. After Yahmed Yema reached on a fielder's choice, Luis Soto belted his third dinger of the season to left.

Asheville countered with two runs in the top of the fourth to regain a 3-2 lead. Tony Granadillo made an outstanding backhanded snag on a ball off the bat of Christopher Cook which should have held the Tourist to a single; however a throwing error allowed him to advance to second. Florentino Nunez doubled home Cook and later scored as Fowler hit an RBI-double of his own with two outs.

The Drive would not be outdone as they tallied a run in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3. Chris Turner singled to left and advanced to second on a fielding error by Nunez. Two batters later, Christian Lara extended his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI-double to left.

Once again the Tourists answered the call with a run in the top of the fifth to regain their lead. With two outs, Daniel Carte homered for the ninth season to give Asheville a 4-3 lead.

In the seventh the Drive plated a single run to once again tie the game. Last night's hero Mickey Hall singled off reliever Brett Strickland and promptly stole second. Dominic Ramos then delivered a single to left, scoring Hall.

After five shutout innings from relievers Tim Cox and Blake Maxwell, the Drive rewarded their pitchers efforts with the game-winning run in the 11th. Turner singled, Matt Mercurio was hit by a pitch, and Christian Lara singled to jam the bases and set up Hall's heroics.

Maxwell, who tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, picked up his fifth win of the season. Jon George, who came on at the start of the bottom of the 11th, took the hard luck loss and dropped his record to 2-4.

The Drive and Tourists conclude their three-game series Friday night at West End Field with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville will send right-hander Clay Buchholz to the mound as Asheville counters with righty Zach Simons. A spectacular fireworks show will be featured at the conclusion of the game.

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.

NOTES: Dominic Ramos led the Drive with three hits...Mickey Hall, Yahmed Yema, Luis Soto, Chris Turner, and Christian Lara each chipped in with two hits apiece...Lara now has multi-hits in five of his last six games...Tim Cox has not allowed an earned run in his last 20.0 innings, dating back to June 15th...Attendance was 5523

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2006


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