SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Stunned by Late Legends Comeback on Wednesday

Published on April 11, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Lexington, KY - The Greenville Drive got out to a big lead in the middle innings of Wednesday's series finale in Lexington, but the Lexington Legends roared back with eight runs in the final two frames to stun the Drive 9-6 and complete a three-game sweep.

With the score 1-1 in the sixth, the Drive (2-5) offense plated five runs to take a big lead. After a one-out walk and a pair of hit by pitches loaded the bases, Kervin Suarez drew a walk to put the Drive ahead. Michael Osinski followed with a fly ball to deep center that just ticked off the glove of Michael Gigliotti, and when Gigliotti was injured on the landing, Osinski circled the bases for an inside-the-park grand slam, the first homer of the season for the Drive.

That lead held until the seventh, when the Legends (6-1) scored five unearned runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, a Drive error on a ground ball scored a run. That proved costly, as Travis Jones followed with a three-run double to right field to cut the lead to one, and M.J. Melendez then smacked a triple to right field to tie the game.

Lexington scored three more times to take the lead for good in the eighth. Ricky Aracena led off with a double and came home on a sacrifice fly by Oliver Nunez. Two batters later, Marten Gasparini smacked a two-run homer off Marcos Lantigua (0-1) for a pair of insurance runs.

Julio Pinto (1-0) earned the win for Lexington with two and a third perfect innings of relief, and Tyler Zuber notched his second save with a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.

Drive starter Kutter Crawford was outstanding in a no-decision on Wednesday. The right-hander struck out eight Legends hitters in five innings while allowing just three hits and one run with no walks.

The Drive took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning off Garrett Davila. Suarez led off the game with an infield single, and he came in later on a run-scoring hit by Pedro Castellanos.

The score remained there until the fourth, when Melendez led off with a triple to deep right field and came home on a Drive error on a fielder's choice.

With the first road trip of the season complete, the Drive will return home to Fluor Field on Thursday night for Opening Week presented by TD Bank. Fans attending Thursday's game are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 PM, as the pregame special ceremonies will begin promptly at that time, featuring a 2017 South Atlantic League Championship recognition, as well as a special presentation regarding Minor League Baseball's John H. Johnson President's Award and full roster introductions.

Thursday's first pitch against the Rome Braves, an Atlanta Braves affiliate, is scheduled for 7:05 PM. The pitching matchup will feature Drive right-hander Hunter Haworth (0-0, 9.00) against Braves left-hander Bruce Zimmermann (1-0, 0.00).

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 11, 2018


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