SAL1 Greenville Drive

Pitching, Timely Hitting Keys Drive's 5-2 Victory Over Suns

Published on July 21, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Normally when you commit four errors you don't expect a victory. But the Drive (54-47, 14-17) got exceptional pitching, coupled by a late-inning three-run homer by David Mailman to prevail 5-2 over the Hagerstown Suns (48-52, 14-17).

Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth, the game seemed destined for extra innings as Erik Arnesen (6-4) retired the first two batters of the inning. But Carlos Fernandez and Ryan Kalish prolonged the inning with a single and walk, respectively, setting up Mailman's heroics. On a 1-1 offering, the leftfielder belted a fastball just inside the rightfield foul pole.

Greenville fell behind in the top of the second as the Suns managed to score two unearned runs, marred by a trio of Drive errors. Mark Gildea, who hit a two-out double, scored as the Drive committed two of their errors on a Valerio Heredia grounder. Michael Almanzar initially whiffed on the fielding attempt and Mailman added a throwing error. Heredia eventually scored as he stole third and Juan Apodoca threw wide of the bag.

But the Drive persevered, tying the game in the bottom of the fourth. Greenville's two youngest players - Michael Almanzar (17) and Oscar Tejeda (18) - provided the runs as Almanzar hit a one-out, RBI-single and Tejeda added an RBI-groundout.

What kept the Drive in the ballgame was the stellar effort from the trio of Terumasa Matsuo, Kyle Fernandes, and Felix Ventura. Although he did not earn the win, Matsuo did not allow an earned run in 5.2 innings, allowing just three hits and two walks, while fanning a team-high 10 batters before turning the game over to the bullpen.

Fernandes (3-1) picked up where Matsuo left off, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out a pair of Hagerstown batters. Ventura added a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 13th save of the season.

The Drive and Suns continue their four-game series tomorrow night with first pitch set for 7:05 PM at Fluor Field. Right-hander Chad Povich will toe the rubber for Greenville as Hagerstown counters with right-hander Colton Willems.

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

NOTES: Ryan Kalish has reached base safely in his last 21 straight games...Felix Ventura has not allowed a run in his last 7 appearances, a span of 13.2 innings...In his last 3 starts, Terumasa Matsuo is 1-0 with a 0.51 ERA (1 ER/17.2 IP), 23 strikeouts, and 6 walks...Attendance was 4303

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 21, 2008


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