SAL1 Greenville Drive

Suns Get Three Off Drive Bullpen for 4-2 Victory

Published on July 23, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Converting from reliever to starter has come without any hitches for Ryne Lawson. Making his fourth start of the season, the right-hander continued to baffle opposing hitters. However, a three-run eighth inning against the Greenville (55-48, 15-18) bullpen propelled the Hagerstown Suns (49-53, 14-18) to a 4-2 victory in the series finale at Fluor Field.

Through the first five innings, Lawson was near unhittable. A pair of hits in the top of the second did not warrant any runs for the Suns, and Lawson retired the side in order three times.

But in the top of the sixth, Lawson allowed his first earned since joining the rotation, a span of 22.1 innings. Travis Reagan led off with a single and Mark Gildea followed with a ground-rule double. After a one-hopper back to Manny Arambarris at first base caught Reagan at the plate, Tim Pahuta finally put Hagerstown on the board with an RBI-single, tying the game at 1-1.

Things became unraveled for the Drive in the top of the eighth as the Suns scored three times to pull away. Jake Rogers homered off Ryne Miller to begin the inning, and Hagerstown scored twice more, due in part to a Kristopher Negron fielding error.

Trailing by three runs, Greenville cut into the lead in the home half of the eighth. Juan Apodaca walked and Negron singled, setting up Manny Arambarris' RBI-single.

The table was set for a dramatic finish in the bottom of the ninth as the bases were loaded with two outs. But Kyle Gunderson induced Negron to hit a foul pop up to the Reagan behind the plate to end the game and earn his sixth save of the season.

Up until the sixth inning, the Drive had been clinging to a 1-0 lead as they struck for the game's first run in the bottom of the third. Apodaca led off with a ground rule double, advanced to third on David Marks' groundout and scored as Negron provided a sacrifice fly off Suns starter Cole Kimball (4-6).

After an off day Thursday, the Drive will travel to the state of Georgia for eight games - four with the Columbus Catfish (affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays) and four with the Rome Braves (affiliate of the Atlanta Braves). Greenville will send left-hander Felix Doubront to the hill in the series opener as Columbus counters with right-hander Jason Ragan.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Saturday, August 2nd with a four-game set with the Charleston RiverDogs (affiliate of the New York Yankees). Upstate Fest will highlight the four games as the Drive will honor Spartanburg (August 2nd), Greer (August 3rd), the Golden Strip (August 4th) and Greenville (August 5th is the Drive's annual Green Day). For more information regarding single-game tickets, ticket plans, group outings and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 23, 2008


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