SAL1 Greenville Drive

Greenville conquers Rome, 9-2

Published on July 16, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Rome, GA - The Greenville Drive jumped all over the Rome Braves Sunday afternoon for five runs in the top of the sixth en route to a 9-2 victory at State Municipal Stadium. Tony Granadillo led the Drive with four runs batted in which guided Greenville to its fifth straight victory, improving their record to 16-8 in the second half of the season and just 2.5 games behind Augusta.

Rome struck first in the bottom of the fourth inning as Robert Marcial struck out swinging but advanced to first on a wild pitch by Drive starter Ryan Phillips. Jamie Romak made the Drive miscue hurt as he blasted a two run home run (11) over the left field wall that scored Marcial and gave the Braves the lead 2-0.

The lead would not last, however, as Braves reliever Jake Stevens walked Christian Lara and hit Mickey Hall to start off the top of the sixth inning. Stevens then threw away a pickoff attempt to first base, which allowed Hall to advance to third and plated Lara cutting Greenville's deficit to 2-1. Matt Mercurio then stroked a single to center scoring Hall and tying the game at two apiece. Mercurio would then steal second base, Stevens would walk Yahmed Yema, and Mercurio would advance to third on a fielder's choice by Luis Soto putting runners on the corners. Mark Wagner and Tony Granadillo would then deliver back-to-back RBI singles scoring Mercurio and Soto giving Greenville the lead 4-2. The Drive would score their final run of the inning as Chris Turner lofted a sacrifice fly to left field and Wagner trotted home increasing their lead 5-2.

That would be all that Greenville needed as they added an insurance run in the top of the seventh and three more in the top half of the ninth to give them the victory 9-2. In the seventh, Hall reached with a one-out single and stole second. Two batters later Yema doubled home Hall.

The Drive would conclude their scoring with three more runs in the top of the ninth, giving them a seven-run lead. Granadillo cleared the bases with a two-out double, knocking in Mercurio, Yema, and Wagner.

Starter Ryan Phillips (2-3) earned the win for Greenville tossing six strong innings while allowing only three hits and two earned runs. Rome reliever Jake Stevens (2-3) picked up the loss for the Braves tossing one inning and allowing five earned.

The Drive and Braves play game three of their four-game series tomorrow evening with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville will send right-hander John Barnes to the mound as Rome counters with right-hander Dustin Evans.

The Drive return home Wednesday, July 19th for a four-game series with the Savannah Sand Gnats, South Atlantic League affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

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: Tony Granadillo was the only Drive batter with multiple hits...Greenville scored their nine runs on seven hits...Relievers Chad Rhoades and Blake Maxwell combined to closeout the game with three scoreless innings

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2006


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