SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive's Streak Ended by \'Hoppers, 8-2

Published on April 16, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Seeking to extend their winning streak to a franchise-best eight games, the Drive ran into a brick wall in the form of the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Losing 8-2, the Drive surrendered more runs in Wednesday's contest than they had allowed in the previous five games.

Starting pitcher Nick Hagadone tossed just 2 1/3 scoreless innings, as he saw his pitch count exceeded 50 in the short outing and he experienced tightness in his pitching elbow. Eammon Portice relieved the left and gave up an RBI-single to Bryan Petersen and a run-scoring double to Mike Stanton.

The Drive only needed two swings to tie the game in their half of the third as Luis Exposito and Aaron Reza each hit solo round trippers. From there however, the game belonged to Greensboro.

A fielding error by Manny Arambarris in the fifth on an Emilio Ontiveros groundball opened the floodgates as the Grasshoppers went on to plate five unearned runs off Portice (1-2) runs and take a commanding 7-2 lead. Ryan Anetsberger knocked in a pair with single and two batters later Ben Lasater delivered a three-run homer.

After Stu Alexander (3-0) gave up both Greenville runs in the third, the right-hander along with three Greensboro relievers combined to hold the Drive scoreless over the final six innings. Corey Madden, Brad Stone, and Steve Cishek allowed just three hits and walked three while fanning four.

Petersen gave the Grasshoppers a little more breathing room as he singled to start the seventh, stole second and third, and then scored on a Joseph Guerra wild pitch. It was the only hit and run allowed by Guerra in his 3 1/3 innings.

The Drive continue their four-game set with the Grasshoppers Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. It will be the Drive's first $1 Drink Night in which fans can purchase 12-ounce Coca-Cola products at any of the concession stands or draft specials in the Spinx 500 Club for just one buck. Southpaw Felix Doubront will take the mound for the Drive in search of improving his record to a perfect 3-0 while the Grasshoppers counter with right-hander Colby Miller.

For more information about single-game tickets, ticket plans, luxury accommodations, or group outings, visit www.greenvilledrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

NOTES: With his 1-for-4 day, 1B Anthony Rizzo extended his hitting streak to seven games...LHP Nick Hagadone has not allowed an earned run in his last 33.0 innings as a professional, spanning 13 starts between Lowell (2007) and Greenville (2008)

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 16, 2008


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