Drive Salvage Twinbill Split with Walk-Off Homer
The winning rally came against Augusta reliever Chris Marlowe (1-8). With one out, Cody Koback blooped a ball into shallow right-center and hustled his way into a double. Garin Cecchini was then intentionally walked to set up the force. After Koback advanced to third on a wild pitch, Marlowe picked up a huge strikeout of Keury De la Cruz for the second out. Swihart followed by launching a shot deep into the Greenville night to give the Drive the win.
Swihart's heroics made a winner out of Nate Striz (1-1), who struck out a pair of GreenJackets hitters in an inning and a third of relief.
The Drive picked up the first run of the game in the second thanks to De la Cruz, as he deposited a pitch from Augusta starter Paul Davis over the right field wall for his 19th homer of the season.
Augusta answered quickly in the top half of the third to tie things up. Myles Schroder doubled to lead things off, and after a hit by pitch, a sac bunt and a walk, Jose Flores grounded out to first to bring Schroder in.
The GreenJackets took the lead against Greenville starter Luis Diaz in the top of the sixth. Brett Krill hit a one-out single to center, and Devin Harris, who picked up big hits all series, laced a double to the right-field wall to plate Krill and make it a 2-1 game.
The Drive were able to even the game at two in the bottom half thanks to a little patience. Cecchini and De la Cruz began the frame with back-to-back singles, placing runners at the corners. After a shallow fly out, Drew Turocy and Boss Moanaroa each drew a walk, with Moanaroa's bringing home the tying run.
Harris was the only GreenJacket hitter to collect a pair of hits in game two. For the Drive, De la Cruz, Jose Garcia and Koback picked up two hits apiece, and Swihart drove in three runs thanks to the walk-off shot.
Game one on Wednesday was all Augusta, as they cruised to a 6-1 victory thanks to a five-run third inning against Drive starter Jason Garcia (6-6).
All of Augusta's damage in that inning came with two outs. Garcia issued a two-out walk, which opened the floodgates. After a stolen base, Shawn Payne knotted the game at one with a single. Krill followed with a single of his own, and Harris delivered with a two-run triple to right field to give Augusta the lead. Garrett Buechele got in on the action next by smacking a Garcia offering over the left-field wall to extend the lead to 5-1.
The Drive scored their only run of game one in the bottom of the first. Cecchini singled up the middle with two outs, and he came all the way around to score on De la Cruz's double to the wall in right field.
GreenJackets starter Kyle Crick (7-6) settled in after that and baffled Drive hitters the rest of the way. He threw five and two thirds innings, giving up six hits and one walk while punching out nine.
The GreenJackets added a run in the sixth inning for good measure against Kevin Brahney. Kelby Tomlinson walked to lead off the frame and stole second with one out. After an error by Cecchini put runners at the corners, Jesus Galindo singled through the left side to plate Tomlinson and cap the scoring for game one.
Krill picked up a pair of hits for Augusta in game one, while Harris and Buechele each drove in two. Koback and Turocy collected two hits apiece for Greenville.
Fluor Field will play host to another four game series starting on Thursday night as the division rival Asheville Tourists come to town. First pitch is set for 7:05. Both teams will start their ace left-handers, as Mickey Pena (6-7, 2.87) takes the mound for the Drive, while Asheville counters with Tyler Anderson (11-2, 2.31).
Tomorrow night is the final Dollar Drink Night of the 2012 season, in which fans of all ages can purchase 12 ounce Pepsi products at any of the concession stands for just a dollar. While those at least 21 years old can head over to the 500 Club for cans of PBR for only $1. Tickets start at just $6 and can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4528, logging onto GreenvilleDrive.com, or visiting the Fluor Field Box Office.