Drive Drop Second Game To Lakewood

Lakewood, NJ – The Drive will have to conjure up some of that clutch hitting that got them to the South Atlantic Championship Series when they return home. Following a 3-0 loss to the Lakewood BlueClaws on Tuesday, Greenville trails two games to none in the Best-of-5 series.

For the second straight night the Drive outhit their opponents, but lacked the clutch hit. While the Drive left nine runners on base and recorded just one hit in six chances with runners in scoring position, the BlueClaws went 4-for-8 in the same situation.

Greenville left four runners on base through five innings, stranding a pair in the first and fourth innings. Over that same span, starting pitcher Caleb Clay (0-1) kept Lakewood hitless. The right-hander allowed just one baserunner when Major Leaguer Greg Dobbs, who was on a rehab assignment, reached on an error in the fourth.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the fifth that the BlueClaws recorded a hit, but when they did they made it count. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Clay surrendered three consecutive hits, including an RBI-double by Troy Hanzawa to break the scoreless tie.

The BlueClaws added to their lead in the sixth as the inning began with an error on a ball hit by Travis Mattair, Will Middlebrooks, the Drive third baseman, airmailed the first baseman to put a runner on before back-to-back singles by Anthony Gose and an RBI-single by Harold Garcia.

Lakewood then loaded the bases with no out, but only brought in one run on a pitch that hit Sebastian Valle, making it 3-0. Clay went five full, and allowed five hits and three runs, two earned. Lance McClain came in to finish that inning.

The two-inning span was the only time the BlueClaws recorded a hit all game, but they made it count. Following McClain’s 2.0 scoreless innings in relief, Leandro Marin tossed a perfect ninth inning.

But a trio of BlueClaws pitcher kept the Drive offense in check again, scattering seven hits but never allowing a runner to cross home. Jesus Sanchez (1-0) earned the win by tossing 6.0 shutout frames, allowing three hits and walking two, while fanning five.

Following an off day on Wednesday, the Drive and BlueClaws continue the South Atlantic League Championship Series in Greenville at Fluor Field on Thursday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Stolmy Pimentel will head to the mound for Greenville as Lakewood counters with right-hander Trevor May.

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 fans 21-years-of-age and older can head over to the Spinx 500 Club for draft specials. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

GAME NOTES:

Zach Gentile, Ryan Lavarnway, and Casey Kelly each recorded two hits…there has been a 3-game sweep in the South Atlantic League Championship Series each of the last two seasons (2008 & 2007)