SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Send Tourists Packing, 11-5

Published on July 12, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Outfielder Mickey Hall made a splash in his first game with the Drive Wednesday afternoon, finishing the day 3-for-5 with two homers and three runs batted in. The 21-year-old, who was received Tuesday afternoon from the Wilmington Blue Rocks, led the charge as Greenville defeated the Asheville Tourists 11-5. With the win the Drive improved to 12-8 in the second half and moved into sole possession of second place.

Hall and the Drive got off to a fast start in the bottom of the first inning, pounding out seven runs on eight hits versus Tourists starting pitcher Xavier Cedeno (5-6) as they sent 11 batters to the plate. Hall led off the inning by taking a 2-2 offering over the fence in right field. Greenville then got RBI singles from Luis Soto, Tony Granadillo, Matt Mercurio, and a two-RBI single from Christian Lara to closeout the scoring. Cedeno was not able to get out of the inning as he was replaced by Buzz Vargas after getting just one out.

The Tourists tried to inch their way back with three runs in the top of the second. Cole Garner led off with a single to left and then knuckleballer John Barnes (1-4) struggled to find the plate as he issued back-to-back walks to Phillip Cuadrado and Michael Paulk to load the bases. Jason Van Kooten's single plated Asheville's first run and a walk to Daniel Carte added another. Dexter Fowler knocked in the Tourists final run of the inning with a one-out single to center.

Two innings later, Asheville would score again to cut the Drive's lead to three at 7-4. Van Kooten doubled to right to lead off the inning and scored as Carte followed with a single.

Greenville answered right back with a run in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the fifth. In the fourth Granadillo was the recipient of two out walk and Chris Turner tripled him home. An inning later Hall belted his second long ball of the game, a two-run shot to left center with Lara aboard.

Asheville would score once more in the top of the seventh off reliever Chad Rhoades. With two outs Fowler hit his fifth home run of the season.

The Drive, however, would offset that run by answering back in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, Yema singled to right allowing Matt Mercurio to score from second.

Jason Blackey then came on to put the Tourists away by pitching 2.0 shutout innings. The right-hander allowed just a hit and struck out one.

The Drive and Tourists continue their three-game series Thursday night at West End Field with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville will send southpaw Michael Rozier to the mound as Asheville counters with lefty Brandon Durden. Thursday will also feature $1 drink specials in the Spinx 500 Club where the house band will entertain fans.

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: Mickey Hall became the first Drive player to homer in their first at-bat...Christian Lara went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Tony Granadillo and Chris Turner each chipped in with two hits...All nine Greenville batters got a hit and either knocked in or scored a run...Attendance was 3880

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 12, 2006


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