Drive Outduel Grasshoppers on Saturday
May 5, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Greensboro, NC - An old-fashioned pitcher's duel broke out in Greensboro on Saturday night, and it was the Greenville Drive who scored twice in the late innings to come away with a 2-1 victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
Drive (6-23) starter Kutter Crawford continued his outstanding start to the season with six scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out four, but he came away with a no-decision, as Greensboro (15-12) Brady Puckett (1-2) matched Crawford pitch-for-pitch, working into the eighth inning.
The Grasshoppers scored the first run of the game in the seventh inning against Juan Florentino (1-0). Micah Brown reached on a one-out single, stole second, moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt and came in to score on a wild pitch.
The Drive finally got to Puckett in the top of the eighth to take a 2-1 lead. With one out, back-to-back singles by Frankie Rios and Lorenzo Cedrola put runners on the corners. After a wild pitch moved Cedrola up 90 feet, yet another wild pitch brought in Rios with the tying run, and when the catcher's throw got away from home plate, Cedrola motored home to put the Drive ahead.
Greensboro threatened in the bottom of the ninth when Marcos Rivera singled and moved to second on a groundout, but following a single to right by B.J. Lopez, Marino Campana threw out Rivera at the plate to keep the score at 2-1. Marcos Lantigua then retired the next Grasshoppers hitter to end the game and record his first save.
Campana and Isaias Lucena recorded two hits apiece for Greenville.
Sunday afternoon's game in Greensboro is set for a 2:00 first pitch. Right-hander Denyi Reyes (2-2, 3.58) starts on the mound for the Drive, and right-hander Brandon Miller (0-1, 7.99) takes the ball for the Grasshoppers.
• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...
South Atlantic League Stories from May 5, 2018
- Frantic Comeback Falls Just Short for 'Birds - Delmarva Shorebirds
- GreenJackets Halt Comeback - Augusta GreenJackets
- Alfonzo Rips Grand Slam, Columbia Comes Back from Five Down to Win Late - Columbia Fireflies
- Drive Outduel Grasshoppers on Saturday - Greenville Drive
- RiverDogs Shutout Legends Behind Whitlock's Seven Dominant Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- Two out Hits Cost Tourists in Rome - Asheville Tourists
- Legends Blanked in Game Two Loss to RiverDogs - Lexington Legends
- Fireflies Rally Past BlueClaws 9-7 with Six-Run Eighth - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Twelve Hit Attack Sparks Braves 6-3 Win - Rome Emperors
- Fireflies Game Notes: May 5 vs. Lakewood (Game 29) - Columbia Fireflies
- Nelson Promoted to Tampa, Vargas Called up to Charleston - Charleston RiverDogs
- Saturday's Game against Hickory Postponed - Charleston Dirty Birds
- May 5th Game Postponed, Double Header May 6th - Charleston Dirty Birds
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (May 5) - Charleston Dirty Birds
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.
Other Recent Greenville Drive Stories
- Drive Staff Take Home League's Groundskeeper and Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year Awards
- Donation Drive: Helping Western NC and the Upstate with the Blood Connection and Essential Items Collection
- Campbell Named MiLB Hitter, Breakout Player of the Year
- Bryan Gonzalez Named South Atlantic League Postseason All-Star
- Project Host BBQ Cook-Off Returns September 27-28th at Fluor Field