SAL1 Greenville Drive

Woes continue for the Drive, lose 7-4 to BlueClaws

Published on July 30, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Lakewood, NJ - Leading 4-0, the Greenville Drive surrendered seven runs over the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to fall to the Lakewood BlueClaws Sunday night at FirstEnergy Park by the final score of 7-5. It was the third consecutive loss to the BlueClaws and the team's fourth overall, tying a season-high losing streak at four games.

With the loss the Drive dropped to 22-15 in the second half. Fortunately, Greenville remains seven games behind first place Augusta, who lost to Delmarva Sunday evening.

The Drive jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the first two innings of the game. In the first Mickey Hall led off with a double to right. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Dominic Ramos, Hall scored on a wild pitch from BlueClaws starter Zach Cline.

An inning later, Greenville tagged Cline for three more runs. With one out Aaron Bates walked and Chris Turner reached on a throwing error by Welinson Baez. That set up a three-run shot by catcher Mitch Stachowsky, his fourth long ball of the season.

After cruising through the first three innings without allowing a hit, Drive starter Michael Rozier ran into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings. Mike Spidale doubled down the leftfield line to lead off the fourth and stole third. He then scored on a groundout by Jeremy Slayden.

In the fifth Cooper Osteen and Fidel Hernandez led off with back-to-back singles. After Julian Williams grounded into a force play, with Hernandez out at second, Matt Thayer collected two RBI with a double to right, knocking in Osteen and Williams. Spidale then knocked in Thayer with an RBI single of his own, ending the evening for Rozier. Chad Rhoades replaced the lefty and retired Clay Harris to end the inning.

Shaky defense in the bottom of the sixth led to the Drive's demise as the BlueClaws scored three unearned runs to take a 7-4 lead. Back-to-back errors by Christian Lara and Matt Mercurio led to Lakewood's first run, and then Williams doubled home Osteen and Hernandez.

The Drive would add one run in the top of the eighth in a valiant attempt for a comeback, but it wasn't enough. Ramos hit a leadoff double and then advanced to third on Yahmed Yema's single. Ramos then scored as Mark Wagner grounded into a double play.

Despite not allowing an earned run in 2.1 innings of work, Rhoades suffered his first loss of the season. Cline, who stayed in long enough for Lakewood to take the lead, picked up his fifth win of 2006.

The Drive and BlueClaws conclude their four-game series Monday evening at FirstEnergy Park with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Southpaw Ryan Phillips will take the mound for Greenville as Lakewood counters with lefty Josh Outman.

The Greenville Drive return home on Wednesday, August 2nd when they begin an eight-game home stand, starting with the Lake County Captains. Game time is set for 5:05 PM

Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling the Drive Ticket Office at 864-240-4528 or online at www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 30, 2006


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