Drive Wins Fourth Straight

Greenville, SC – Brock Huntzinger (3-3) made only one bad pitch Wednesday which resulted in a first inning, solo homer by Jordan Pacheco. Other than that, the right-hander was lights out as the Drive (28-23) defeated the Asheville Tourists (20-32), 7-4.

Huntzinger was able to get ahead in the counts to the majority of the batters he faced during his 6.0 inning outing, throwing 61 of his 79 pitches for strikes. The former third round selection matched a season-high with six strikeouts while walking none.

Things did not go as well for Asheville starter Parker Frazier (1-5). The Drive tagged the right-hander for seven runs in 4.1 innings, including a four-run burst in the bottom of the second.

Greenville sent all nine batters to the plate in the second, tallying six hits. Oscar Tejeda broke the 1-1 tie by doubling home Will Middlebrooks. Pete Hissey and Anthony Rizzo each recorded RBI-singles, while Tim Federowicz added an RBI-double.

Three innings later, the Drive added two more runs. Ryan Lavarnway led off the fifth with a solo homer, his sixth of the season, extending his hit streak to 13 games – tied for the Greenville season-high. Following a double by Middlebrooks, Zach Gentile singled home the third baseman.

Leading 7-1 in the top of the ninth, the Drive faced a scare as Tourists pushed across a trio of runs. Scott Robinson belted a two-run homer off Felix Ventura and Jimmy Cesario added an RBI-single before the Drive turned to Lance McClain for the final out.

The southpaw induced Ryan Peisel into a fielder’s choice to end the game, picking up his third save of the season.

Five different Drive batters recorded a multi-hit effort, including David Mailman’s team-leading 16th of the season. The left-fielder laced his sixth triple in his very first at bat, extending his own hit streak to a season-high nine games.

The Drive look to complete the three-game sweep over the Tourists when the two teams conclude their series on Thursday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Hunter Strickland (2-4, 3.46 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville as Asheville counters with right-hander Juan Nicasio (0-0, 2.25 ERA).

Thursday is also Dollar Drink Night at Fluor Field, in which fans can purchase 12-ounce Pepsi products at any of the concession stands for just a buck. Those 21-years-of-age and older can head over to the Spinx 500 Club for draft specials. For more information on single-game tickets, ticket plans, group outings, luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

GAME NOTES:

Attendance was 3,787…Oscar Tejeda left the game in the top of the third after taking a hard grounder off his non-glove hand…he was replaced by Zach Gentile…Brock Huntzinger threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 20 batters he faced…7 of the Drive’s 9 batters recorded a hit