SAL1 Greenville Drive

Greenville Shifts Into Overdrive, Wins 13-5

Published on May 18, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Savannah, GA - Trailing 2-0 through three innings, the Drive offense exploded for all 13 of their runs in a four inning span en route to a 13-5 thumping of the Savannah Sand Gnats Sunday afternoon.

In the top of the fourth, Greenville tallied five runs on five hits as they sent all nine batters to the plate. After a Mike Jones double, Luis Exposito tied the game with a two-run shot, his team-leading fifth round tripper of the season. Following an RBI-double off the bat of David Marks, Manny Arambarris capped the huge frame with a two-run homer off Scott Moviel (3-5).

The Drive then collected a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Aided by two Sand Gnats' errors in the fifth, David Mailman drove in a run with a groundout and Ty Weeden singled home another. An inning later Greenville's first three batters began with consecutive hits to account for both runs.

Will Vazquez began the frame with a single and scored as Ryan Kalish followed with an RBI-triple. Kalish, who entered the game in the fourth for Che-Hsuan Lin, finished the game 3-for-4. Kristopher Negron then came up with a run-scoring single.

The Drive finished off their offensive barrage with four more runs in the top of the seventh, extending their lead to nine runs. Vazquez and Kalish each doubled home a run in the inning while Negron added an RBI-single. A wild pitch accounted for the Drive's fifth run of the inning.

Although it may not have been his best start as a professional, Eammon Portice (3-4) lasted long enough to earn the victory. The right-hander surrendered four runs on six hits and a walk over 5.0 innings, while fanning eight.

Relievers Kyle Fernandes and Bryce Cox combined to toss 4.0 innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one more Savannah run. Fernandes allowed one run, scattering four hits with three strikeouts in 3.0 innings. Cox added a perfect ninth inning to slam the door on the Sand Gnats.

The Drive and Sand Gnats conclude their four-game series Monday evening with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. In search of a series sweep, Greenville will send right-hander Terumasa Matsuo to the mound, who is coming off his best start as a professional. Savannah will counter with right-hander Elvin Ramirez.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Tuesday, May 20th for an 8-game home stand that begins with the Charleston RiverDogs.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 18, 2008


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