SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Stumble Versus Captains, Lose 7-2

Published on August 4, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Starting pitcher Jim Deters baffled the Greenville Drive all night, limiting them to just two runs on four hits in 8.1 innings of work as the Lake County Captains defeated the Drive 7-2 Friday night at West End Field. With the loss the Drive fell to 23-18 in the second half, and dropped another game in the standings as the GreenJackets shutout the Hagerstown Suns, 1-0.

The Drive jumped out to a 2-0 lead when they broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third. Dustin Kelly singled to center and Matt Mercurio followed with a one-out, two-run homer that just barely cleared the Green Monster. It was Mercurio's fourth home run of the season.

Lake County would pounce on starter Michael Bowden in the top half of the fourth for two runs on three hits to tie the game. Chris Gimenez and Mike Butia led off the inning with back-to-back singles. After both runners each moved up a base on a wild pitch, P.J. Hiser knocked in the pair with a two-out single to right.

An inning later the Captains would add two more runs to take a 4-2 lead. Chris De La Cruz and Mike Conroy each reached base with one-out singles, with De La Cruz advancing to third on Conroy's hit. Giminez then singled home De La Cruz. With two outs, Lake County would score one more when Conroy crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

The Captains would extend their lead to 5-3 by adding a run in the eighth off reliever Hunter Jones. After retiring the first batter, Jones had some control issues as he allowed a hit and back-to-back walks to load the bases. A sacrifice fly by De La Cruz knocked in Hiser before Jones was able to get out of the inning without further damage.

Lake County would add two more in the top of the ninth, sealing the victory. With two outs, Hiser doubled home Butia with a two-bagger to center. However, a fielding error on the play by Yahmed Yema allowed Fernando Pacheco to score all the way from first for an unearned run.

The Drive threatened in their last at-bat, getting back-to-back hits from Dominic Ramos and Mark Wagner to chase Deters from the game. Reliever Matt Davis replaced Deters and walked Aaron Bates to load the bases. Unfortunately the Drive could not capitalize as they left the bags full as Davis struck out Luis Soto and Mitch Stachowsky to end the game.

Bowden suffered the loss, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over 5.0 innings of work. He also struck out six batters to regain the team lead with 111. It was the 19-year-old's fifth loss of the season, and first since June 24th.

The Drive will look to split the four-game series with the Captains as the teams conclude their match-up Saturday night at West End Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM. Southpaw Michael Rozier will take the hill for Greenville and Lake County will counter with right-hander Frank Herrmann. Tomorrow will also feature the final ticket package holder giveaway of the season, a Reedy Rip'It bobble head.

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.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 4, 2006


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