Drive Pull Six-Run Comeback to Stun 'Hoppers, 8-7
August 13, 2023 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release
The Greenville Drive (19-22, 55-52) strung together five runs in the seventh, capped off by a Roman Anthony two-RBI base knock, to complete a six-run comeback and stun the Greensboro Grasshoppers (20-20, 56-48), 8-7.
Collectively, the 'Hoppers added four homers on the night, bringing their series total to 17, but it wouldn't matter in the end as Greenville found a spark they'd been lacking in two of their three losses in the series. Though in the early going it seemed like another night destined to go in Greensboro's favor as the 'Hoppers used a barrage of homers to build an early lead on Greenville.
Josiah Sightler continued his hard-hitting ways Saturday night, launching a three-run shot in the top of the first off Drive starter Angel Bastardo giving the 'Hoppers an early 3-0 lead. They'd build on the lead consistently through the next four innings, scoring one run in each inning until the Drive finally stopped the bleeding in the sixth.
Jase Bowen clubbed his 22nd homer of the year in the second, Sightler launched his second homer of the night in the third, Jack Brannigan chipped in a sacrifice-fly in the fourth and Termarr Johnson added his first homer of the year in the fifth to cap the 'Hoppers scoring.
Bastardo exited the night with one out in the fifth finishing his night allowing seven runs on six hits while walking five and striking out seven. His seven strikeouts on the night moved him to second all-time on the Drive's single season strikeout list for pitchers with 139. Jonathan Diaz, who pitched for the Drive from 2017-18 holds the record with 147, which he set during the 2018 season.
The game seemed to be well in hand for the 'Hoppers as the action flipped to the bottom of the fifth, as the Drive found themselves down 7-2, with the Drives runs coming via an Alex Erro sac-fly and an Eduardo Lopez bases-loaded walk. The Drive cut the deficit to just four in the bottom of the fifth on a Gonzalez sac-fly that scored Teel.
Nate Tellier, who has struggled as of late, found a groove in his relief outing, shutting down the 'Hoppers over 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out four. The Drive would find momentum as well in the seventh getting runners on second and third with one out for Erro. Erro slapped a two-RBI single past second base, cutting the lead to just two. Two batters later, Kier Meredith delivered an RBI-single that ricocheted off the pitcher into center field to cut the lead to just one. He'd steal second, setting up Roman Anthony with two runners in scoring position. Anthony would deliver his heroics from there, putting the Drive up for good.
Felix Cepeda picked up a two-inning save for the Drive, that included four strikeouts, finishing the Drive's comeback effort.
The Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox) return to action Sunday, August 13 at 3:05 p.m. for the finale of the six-game series with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pittsburgh Pirates). Greensboro currently leads the series, 3-2. Greenville can earn a split of the series with a win tomorrow.
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- Drive Pull Six-Run Comeback to Stun 'Hoppers, 8-7 - Greenville Drive
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