SAL1 Greenville Drive

Power Sweep Drive in Doubleheader

Published on May 8, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


The Greenville Drive (10-22) will be happy to come home to Fluor Field after a nightmare of a road trip. The West Virginia Power (16-16) used a big third inning en route to a 7-3 victory in game one, and they held off a major Drive comeback in game two to pick up a 7-6 victory. The victories gave the Power a sweep of the four-game series, and the Drive end up with an 0-7 record for the road trip.

Trailing 7-0 heading to the top of the seventh of game two, the Drive began a furious comeback against Power reliever Josh Smith. With two outs in the inning and a runner on first, Kevin Mager struck out, but the pitch trickled away from the catcher, allowing Mager to reach base and extending the rally. The hits came in bunches from there, as the Drive got an RBI single from Jayson Hernandez, a two-run double from Nick Moore and an RBI single from Dreily Guerrero to make the score 7-4.

Mookie Betts then drew a walk, and after the runners advanced to second and third, Cody Koback dropped a two-run single into right field to plate both runners and cut the lead to a razor-thin 7-6. West Virginia then went to the bullpen for Bryton Trepagnier, who got Drew Turocy to ground into a force out to collect his second save of the season and end the game.

Joely Rodriguez (2-2) was narrowly able to get the victory despite a fantastic outing. He worked six shutout innings and allowed just four hits while striking out five.

The Power put up a four-spot in the second inning against Drive starter Jason Garcia (2-2). After a walk, a single and an error, Jonathan Schwind singled to left to bring home a run. Two batters later, Ashley Ponce singled to right for another RBI. After a double steal, a passed ball brought home the third run, and a sacrifice fly by Dilson Herrera capped the four-run inning.

West Virginia added three more runs in the fifth, which later proved crucial. With Braden Kapteyn on the hill, a Drive fielding error led to the first run. Wyatt Mathisen followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 6-0, while Walker Gourley's RBI single plated yet another run.

D.J. Crumlich had two hits in game two for West Virginia, while Koback and Moore each collected a pair of RBIs for Greenville.

The Power took a 7-3 victory in game one on the benefit of a four-run third inning. Drive starter Cody Kukuk (2-3) walked three in the frame to aid the Power. Crumlich drew a bases loaded walk with one out to force in the first run. Francisco Diaz followed with a two-run single to right field, and Raul Fortunato's force out plated a fourth runner in the inning.

The Drive took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Mookie Betts smacked a solo homer to left, his third long ball of the season. They added a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to trim the Power lead to 4-3, as David Chester and Boss Moanaroa each drew bases loaded walks.

Diaz's RBI single in the bottom of the fifth pushed the Power's lead to 5-3, and a two-run homer by Josh Bell gave the Power even more cushion at 7-3.

Thomas Harlan (1-0) got the victory in relief for the Power, as he threw two scoreless frames with three strikeouts.

Bell's 3-4 outing in game one was highlighted by the two-run shot, and Diaz added two hits and three RBIs. Aneury Tavarez picked up two hits for Greenville.

The Drive will return home on Thursday to begin a four-game series with the division rival Augusta GreenJackets at Fluor Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. RHP Justin Haley (0-4, 6.14) is the scheduled starter for the Drive, while the GreenJackets will send RHP Chris Stratton (2-2, 2.83) to the mound.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 8, 2013


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