MacKenzie's Two-Run Double in Ninth Lift Drive to 9-8 Victory
Published on August 13, 2021 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release
Bowling Green, K.Y. - Trailing, 8-7, in the top of the ninth with two outs and runners on first and second, Jake MacKenzie ripped a first pitch two-run double to propel Greenville to a 9-8 win Friday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.
The first two Drive hitters in the top of the ninth were retired. Then Wil Dalton struck out but reached first on a wild pitch. The following hitter, Elih Marrero, drew a seven-pitch walk. That brought up MacKenzie who stroked the winning hit to left field.
It was just Greenville's third win when trailing after the eighth inning.
For the night, the Drive combined for 12 hits, two homers, including a grand slam, and the winning two-run double. Nick Sogard led the way with a 2-for-6 performance plus a grand slam. Brandon Howlett tallied a team-high three hits. He had two singles and a two-run dinger. MacKenzie and Stephen Scott rounded out the multi-hit outings. Scott extended his hitting streak to 12 games with two singles.
Jose Espada picked up the win in relief. The right-hander hurled 3.2 innings and yielded just one walk while fanning five, a season high. Brendan Nail earned the save after tossing 1.0 perfect inning with two strikeouts. Yusniel Padron-Artiles started and took a no decision, relenting eight runs over 4.1 innings.
Christopher Gau was charged with the loss after relenting MacKenzie's two-run double.
After a scoreless first inning, the Hot Rods jumped out to a 3-0 lead on a Hill Alexander two-run blast and Roberto Alvarez RBI double.
Greenville posted two run to cut the deficit in the top of the third inning. Scott drew a one out walk. Two batters later, Howlett belted an opposite field blast for a two-run clout. It was his 13th of the year.
However, Bowling Green extended its lead to 5-2 on another Alexander two-run homer.
The Drive then took a brief lead in the top of the fourth inning. Wil Dalton slapped a leadoff single and then got to third on back-to-back walks by Elih Marrero and Jake MacKenzie. That brought up Sogard who deposited a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left-center for a grand slam. It was his ninth of the year. The inning continued as Scott singled to follow up the Sogard blast. A force out put Dearden on the first base bag. Howlett then singled, putting runners at the corners. The next batter, Davis, grounded into an RBI force out for the fifth run of the frame. The Drive led, 7-5.
The Hot Rods then tied it the next half inning on an Evan Edwards two-run shot.
The home team took the lead back, 8-7, in their next half at-bat behind Alexander's third homer of the game, a solo shot.
The ninth brought upon MacKenzie's late-inning dramatics.
Game five is set for 7:35 Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark. The Drive are slated to throw Brandon Waler while the Hot Rods are scheduled to start Evan McKendry.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 13, 2021
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- MacKenzie's Two-Run Double in Ninth Lift Drive to 9-8 Victory - Greenville Drive
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