Drive Walkoff Snaps Savannah Winning Streak
Published on June 16, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
GREENVILLE, SC -The Greenville Drive scored in the bottom of the ninth inning for a walk-off 3-2 win Thursday night at Fluor Field in Greenville, SC, snapping the Savannah Sand Gnats' eight-game winning streak.
Lucas LeBlanc singled home Xander Bogaerts with one out in the ninth inning of Savannah reliever Gabriel Zavala to cap a 3-2 defeat of the first half Southern Division Champion Savannah Sand Gnats (39-27). Bogaerts started the ninth inning rally for the Drive (35-32) by crushing a one-out double off the center field fence. LeBlanc followed with a short single to left driving home Bogaerts.
The rally made a victor of Drive reliever Charle Rosario, who improves to 4-0. Zavala (1-4) took the loss for Savannah. The rally also overshadowed the work of both starting pitchers. Manuel Rivera pitched 6.0 shutout innings for Greenville, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out five. Taylor Whitenton settled in after a rocky first frame to pitch six solid innings with five strikeouts.
Whitenton walked three Drive hitters in the first, and two of them scored when Henry Ramos snuck a single through the right side. It was the only hit allowed by Whitenton on the evening, who allowed just one more baserunner in his six innings.
The Sand Gnats picked up single runs in the seventh and eighth innings against Drive reliever Tyler Lockwood. In the seventh, a sacrifice bunt by Albert Cordero advanced Aderlin Rodriguez, who walked to lead off the frame, and Blake Forsythe, who singled. Rodriguez scored on a Sam Honeckgroundout to first. The Gnats knotted up the game in the eighth when Drive catcher Christian Vasquez threw a ball into right field on a fielder's choice to score Wilfredo Tovar. Tovar was 1-3 and has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games.
The Drive and Sand Gnats continue their series, which closes out the first half of the 2011 regular season, on Friday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Miguel Celestino (4-4, 4.89 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Savannah counters with right-hander Yohan Almonte (2-2, 3.03 ERA).
Next Home Game: Thursday, June 23
Thirsty Thursday - Half-price on all small sodas and small beers all night long, presented by I-95 & Budweiser
Happy Hour - $0.50 Natty Lights & $3.00 Captain and Cokes for 1-hour prior to first pitch on Land Shark Landing at the Captain's Cove. Presented by Tubby's of Thunderbolt.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 16, 2011
- Drive Walkoff Snaps Savannah Winning Streak - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power Tip Lakewood in Rain-Shortened Game - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Lakewood Falls 4-3 to West Virginia in Rain Shortened Game - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- 1st Place 'Dads Top RiverDogs, 5-1, Before 3,113 - Hickory Crawdads
- Shorebirds Take Two from Hagerstown - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Bullpen Holds Slim Lead in 6-5 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Walk-Off Again with 3-2 Victory - Greenville Drive
- Strong Lexington Pitching Shuts Out Braves - Rome Emperors
- Legends Shut out Braves 2-0 - Lexington Legends
- Manzueta, Hoppers 2-hit Intimidators - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Jackson Overpowers R'Dogs in 'Dads 5-1 Series-Opening Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, June 16 at Greenville - 7 Pm - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Matt Suschak Suspended - Rome Emperors
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.
