SAL1 Greenville Drive

Happy Birthday Greenville! Drive Deliver Comeback Victory

Published on August 14, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive (25-27, 54-67) celebrated the City of Greenville's 176th birthday Tuesday night, for the second annual day dubbed as "Green Day." The team wore their green uniforms, honored two city dignitaries - Lillian Brock Flemming and Xanthene Norris - and had a post-game concert.

The icing on the cake was the Drive's biggest come-from-behind victory of the year, defeating the Lakewood BlueClaws 8-7 in front of 4,732 fans. Trailing by as many as six runs, Greenville scored in their final four innings for the win.

With a 7-7 tie and one out in the bottom of the eighth, Matt Sheely provided the eventual game-winner, delivering a single of Paige Dumont (0-1) to score Lars Anderson. From the onset of the game, however, it looked as if the Drive were in trouble as they faced an uphill battle against one of the league's most dominant pitchers.

Lakewood (25-25, 58-57) teed off on starting pitcher Ryan Phillips, tallying six runs (five earned) on nine hits and four walks as the southpaw was bounced from the game after just 3.1 innings, his shortest outing of the season as a starter.

With the Drive behind, Chad Povich and Jorge Rodriguez (4-1) provided stellar relief out of the bullpen to give their team the chance for a comeback. Povich limited the BlueClaws to just one run on four hits in 3.0 solid innings, while fanning three. Rodriguez retired the only two batters he faced in the top of the eighth.

Lars Anderson did not waste much time extending his current hitting streak to 10 games, singling home the Drive's first run in the bottom of the third. After a scoreless fourth, the Drive plated runs in their final four at-bats for their biggest comeback of the season.

Antonio Bastard of the BlueClaws issued a leadoff walk to Anderson in the fifth, and a double by Mike Jones put two runners in scoring position. The Drive would score one that inning as Anderson scored on a Matt Sheely groundout.

The Drive's offense continued to roll in the next inning as they totaled two runs on one hit. Josh Reddick doubled down the right-field line, knocking in Argenis Diaz and Kristopher Negron. An inning later three hits and two costly errors would aid the Drive's come-from-behind victory.

Joshua Papelbon continued his torrid August, tossing a perfect ninth with one strikeout to earn his fourth save in as many opportunities in the final full month of the regular season. It was the submarine-style closer's 15 conversion of the year.

The Drive look to closeout their "Crazy 8" promotion with a clean sweep of the Lakewood BlueClaws Wednesday night with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Jimmy James will toe the rubber for Greenville as Lakewood counters with right-hander Scott Mitchinson.

Closing out the week long festivities, Verizon Wireless will present South Carolina's largest high school pep rally. To help kick off the new school year and high school football season, students are encouraged to showoff their school spirit during between-inning promotions for a chance at special prizes. Fans are also encouraged to donate used cell phones as Verizon Wireless' V-Team will be collecting them for domestic violence victims.

Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or by visiting www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 14, 2007


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