Tourists Win Back-and-Forth Battle, Drive Fall 5-3
July 22, 2023 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release
The Drive received a solid performance on the mound from starter Juan Daniel Encarnacion but it wouldn't be enough to claim victory as the Asheville Tourists (9-14, 35-49) hung on to win a back-and-forth affair over the Greenville Drive (11-12, 47-42) 5-3 on Saturday night.
After sending down seven straight batters to start the game, Encarnacion would relinquish his first hit of the night as Rolando Espinosa launched a home run to left field, giving the Tourists the 1-0 lead.
But that lead was short lived as the Drive bats picked up Encarnacion. Karson Simas singled and stole second and after a Jonathan Diaz flyout, Roman Anthony sliced a double off the Green Monster in left scoring Simas and knotting the game at 1-1.
The Tourists, however, would reclaim the lead in the top of the fourth as Ryan Clifford slapped a two-run homer around the right field foul pole into Pesky's Porch bumping the lead to 3-1.
Brainer Bonaci would draw the Drive within a run in the bottom of the firth as ripped a single past the second baseman to bring in Roman Anthony, making it 3-2. But the Tourists would respond in turn in the top of the seventh, as Zach Cole reached on a single and made it to second. He'd swipe third and the attempted throw to nab him would slip by Karson Simas and end up in left field allowing him to score to boost the lead to 4-2.
Encarnacion would finish the night in the seventh officially tossing 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, no walks and striking out six. Felix Cepeda would take over for Encarnacion, tossing 1.2 innings while issuing just one walk across the five batters he faced.
Nick Decker delivered a glimpse of hope for the Drive in the bottom of the eighth, driving a two-out home run into the Drive bullpen beyond the right field fence to cut the lead to 4-3. But the lead would grow in the top of the ninth as Cole walked, Tim Borden II singled and Tommy Sacco Jr. slapped an RBI-single to make it 5-3.
The Drive would threaten a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, as Max Ferguson walked with two outs. Bonaci would roll a double through the right side of the infield putting runners on the corners for Miller. Miller would work the count to 2-2 but go down on a fast ball up in the zone, giving the Tourists a 5-3 victory.
The Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox) return to action tomorrow at Fluor Field at 3:05 p.m. for the finale with the Asheville Tourists (Houston Astros). Asheville leads the series 3-2. The Drive can earn a split of the series with a win tomorrow.
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