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SAL1 Greenville Drive

Poor fielding costs Drive

June 5, 2006 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Six unearned runs in the top of the fifth proved to be the Greenville Drive's demise as they fell to the Charleston RiverDogs 10-5 Monday night. The loss dropped the Drive to 30-27 on the season and the RiverDogs improved to one game above .500 at 29-28.

Greenville took an early lead by scoring single runs in the bottom of the first and second innings off Charleston starter Zach Kroenke. With two outs, Yahmed Yema belted his third home run of the season and first at West End Field to give the Drive an early 1-0 lead. An inning later Tony Granadillo scored when Christian Lara hit into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded.

Kannapolis would tie the game in the top of the third with two unearned runs off of Drive starter Michael Rozier. Tim Battle led off the inning by striking out but reached base on a wild pitch. Irwil Rojas then reached base when Dominic Ramos had a throwing error attempting to get Battle out at second. After Rojas and Battle stole second and third, respectively, Tony Roth grounded out, scoring Battle. Two batters later Marcos Vechionacci doubled to right, knocking in Rojas.

The Drive would answer back in the bottom of the third with two runs, reclaiming the lead at 4-2. Ramos led off the inning with a double down the left field line. After back-to-back strikeouts by Yema and Mark Wagner, Granadillo hit the first inside-the-park home run at West End Field to center field.

Charleston would add an unearned run in the top of the fourth on two hits, but could have done more damage as they left the bases loaded. With two outs and the bases loaded, Rozier issued a walk to Rojas, allowing C.J. Henry to score.

An inning later the RiverDogs sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring six unearned runs to take a 9-4 lead. The bases became loaded after Vechionacci and Jose Tabata hit back-to-back one-out singles and Ben Jones reached on an error by Rozier. A fielding error by Lara during Henry's at bat allowed Vechionacci to score Charleston's first run of the inning. Rozier's night was finished after walking Eduardo Nunez to plate another RiverDogs run.

Rozier was replaced by Ismael Casillas who promptly gave up two-run double to Battle. Nunez then scored on a wild pitch and Rojas collected an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center, knocking in Battle. Four of the six runs in the inning were unearned.

The Drive added a run in the bottom of the seventh when Jay Johnson led off the inning with a solo shot to left. The home run was Johnson's sixth of the season.

Charleston would finish out their scoring with two runs in the top of the eighth. Tony Roth led off the inning with a walk and scored as Austin Jackson followed with a triple down the right field line. Jackson would then score on Vechionacci's ground out.

In the ninth the Drive would attempt a comeback by scoring three runs. With two on, Johnson singled to right scoring Chris Turner who had reached by a hit by pitch. After Ramos walked to load the bases, Yema plated Lara on a groundout to first. The Drive would score their final run when Wagner hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Johnson.

Michael Rozier suffered the loss for Greenville despite not allowing an earned run. Rozier tossed 4.1 innings allowing eight runs (none earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out three.

The Drive and RiverDogs continue their four game series Tuesday night at West End Field with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville will send right-hander Michael Bowden to the mound as Charleston counters with right-hander Bryan Villalona.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from June 5, 2006


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