SAL1 Greenville Drive

Team Hits Rough Road

Published on May 19, 2003 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


After winning the first game of a doubleheader against South Georgia on May 7th, the Bombers went 2-8 in the next ten games. They dropped from 19-11 down to 21-19 in that span and fell from a tie for second in the division down to fourth place. Fortunately, Cap-City stopped the bleeding with a ninth inning rally to victory Sunday afternoon in Lexington, 6-5 over the Legends. The Bombers (22-19) finish up Monday night in Kentucky, and then get a day to rest before a pivotal two weeks' worth of games against Charleston-SC, Augusta, and Hickory.

2. BOMBERS STANDOUTS & OLD NAVY HANDOUTS

First a tip of the cap to pitcher Miguel Pinango, 5-0 in eight appearances! Now we congratulate first baseman Andres Rodriguez, who won BC Powder South Atlantic League Batter of the Week honors for a torrid sequence of games to open the month of May. A bonus highlight for "A-Rod"--winning $375 to spend at Old Navy with a blast over the fence during the Old Navy Home Run Jackpot Inning! Season ticket holder John Ruoff & Rodriguez each won the jackpot total's worth of Old Navy gift cards. The jackpot started at $25 for the home opener, when Aaron Baldiris hit a homer, built at $25 per game after that until the $375 windfall, then started at $25 again...when Baldiris hit another Old Navy Home Run winner!

3. ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS...

With the list still growing--up to 92 former Bombers (or Columbia Mets) to make the Major Leagues, we always have plenty to be proud of when it comes to our alumni. But today we want to start by praising two pitchers who passed through recently and are still on the road to The Show. Wayne Ough and Mike Cox combined for a St. Lucie no-hitter and 5-0 victory over the Tampa Yankees May 9th. Ough tossed the first seven innings and Cox got the last two to close it out. Ough's two walks accounted for the only two Tampa baserunners in the game.

Former Bombers dominated the Mets' lineup in the game, including Justin Huber behind the plate to catch the no-no. Other quick hits from the alumni list...Enrique Cruz (Brewers) finally got his first big-league hit after a very shaky introduction to the Majors, Preston Wilson (Rockies) is tearing it up for Colorado with a .342 average, Jason Phillips (Mets) took advantage of the opportunity offered by Mike Piazza's injury--going 2-3 with 2 RBI and a homer against the Giants Sunday.

4. COMING UP...

Enough history, let's look to the future now...home games May 21-23 and again May 25-26 (they're in Augusta on the 24th). First the Bombers come back on Wednesday to face their rivals from the Lowcountry, the Charleston RiverDogs. Thursday is a Good Seats for Good Samaritans night with Palmetto Health and Time Warner--get half-price admission for donating blank journals, copier paper, or pens and crayons to Sexual Trauma Services. Friday brings Mini-Bat Giveaway Night, presented by Cingular Wireless: 1000 mini-bats for our young fans! When Sunday rolls around, it's a DOUBLEHEADER starting at 6:05pm, with FIREWORKS to follow game two in honor of Memorial Day Weekend, sponsored by Palmetto Health--plus a special surprise awaits you between games! Monday, Memorial Day, the Bombers will have a special daytime doubleheader starting at 1:05pm with FREE ADMISSION...well, actually, it's "Pass the Hat" day--you get in free, then we'll take up a collection later (pay whatever you want to).

5. CHARLIE'S IN, MARK'S OUT...

Ticket sales are picking up for the Country Grand Slam event on Friday, May 30th. The Charlie Daniels Band will perform at the ballpark with opening act Pinmonkey. Gates open at 5:30pm for a 7pm show, tickets are $15 for the stands and $20 for the field (GA in both areas). No game is associated with the concert. You can get tickets at the Capital City Stadium box office, through www.countrygrandslam.com, or by calling 1-800-594-TIXX. Unfortunately, it turns out that the other event for that weekend will not happen--Mark Harmon has cancelled his Celebrity Baseball Game. The actor has accepted a role in a major motion picture and will be in Europe for filming. After a decade of games, the event now skips its second straight year (last year involved local complications). The Bombers thank the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for supporting the event and we hope we can work together on another project in the future.

6. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: PUTT-PUTT FUN CENTER

First we welcome Cingular Wireless to the Bomberball family, a new sponsor for the team, and proud sponsor of our Mini-Bat Giveaway on May 23rd. We also have a feeling many fans will have their eyes glued to the new G-I-S sign coming soon to right center field (when you see it, you'll know why). Now we turn the spotlight on the Putt-Putt Fun Center at Sparkleberry Crossings (Clemson Road). It's Putt-Putt Golf and a whole lot more: including batting cages, laser tag, go-karts, game room, prize center, rock climbing wall, and snack bar. Meeting space is available and group outings can be arranged. Give them a call at 462-9355 or visit www.putt-puttfuncenter.com. And remember, your ticket stub for any game could be worth free golf if that night's contestant hits the shot in the Putt-Putt Fun Center Challenge!

7. QUOTE OF NOTE

"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist."

--Bob Uecker

And your last chance at that crypto-quote before all is revealed this week...we told you that C=N and that I=G, now we add the hints that Q=H and E=S. The answer will have a very special meaning for the upcoming weekend. Here's the original code...

XQV VRIDV QRE DRCHVH.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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