Drive Defeat Sand Gnats 7-3 to Split Series

Greenville, SC - Needing a victory to clinch a series split, the Greenville Drive (2-2, 36-37) used a pair of big innings late in the game to take the lead and eventually pull away for a 7-3 win over the Savannah Sand Gnats (2-2, 46-24) on Sunday afternoon at Fluor Field.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Drive scored a trio of runs to take the lead. Carlos Asuaje singled to begin the frame and scored two batters later when Kendrick Perkins smoked a double off the center-field wall. 

After Savannah reliever Paul Paez (0-1) issued a walk to Zach Kapstein, Perkins and Kapstein pulled off a double steal which tied the game when Colton Plaia's throw sailed into the outfield. Carlos Coste then delivered the eventual game-winning hit with a single into left-center.

The Drive added three more runs in the seventh as well. Jimmy Rider reached on an error to begin the frame, and singles by Tim Roberson and Asuaje loaded the bases. Two batters later, Perkins grounded into a fielder's choice to bring Rider home, and Kevin Mager's two-run double high off the Green Monster plated Roberson and Perkins.

The late rally made a winner of Drive reliever Mike Adams (1-1), who hurled three terrific innings, allowing just one run, one hit and one walk with three strikeouts.

Savannah scored single runs in the second and third off Greenville starter Myles Smith thanks to a Stefan Sabol sacrifice fly and a Victor Cruzado RBI groundout.

The Drive finally got on the scoreboard against Chris Flexen in the fifth on Rider's sacrifice fly, and Plaia answered in the top of the sixth with an RBI double.

Coste went 3-4 with the winning RBI to lead the Drive offense, while Asuaje and Mager added two hits each. Plaia had three hits for the Sand Gnats.

Beginning on Monday, the Drive embark on an eight-game road trip that begins with a four-game series against the division rival Asheville Tourists. First pitch for the series opener is at 7:05. LH Daniel McGrath (2-3, 4.55) will take the ball for the Drive, and the Tourists will start RH Johendi Jiminian (8-3, 3.48).