Baldwin Gives Drive Second Straight Walkoff Win

Greenville, SC - For the second consecutive night, the Greenville Drive defeated the Rome Braves in walkoff fashion in extra innings. To surely nobody's surprise, Roldani Baldwin delivered the game-winning hit as the Drive won a 1-0 pitcher's duel.
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the eighth in game one of the scheduled doubleheader, the Drive (25-22, 66-50) loaded the bases with one out. Santiago Espinal singled to begin the frame, and Brett Netzer drew a walk. Ryan Scott singled two batters later to set the stage for the pinch hitter Baldwin, who lined a single off Bladimir Matos (3-3) for his fourth walkoff hit of the season.
Game two of the scheduled doubleheader was postponed due to inclement weather in the Greenville area, and the teams will now play a doubleheader on Saturday.
Both pitching staffs were nothing short of outstanding on Friday, despite a one-hour, 37 minute delay to the start of the game. Greenville starter Darwinzon Hernandez set a career-high with six and one-third scoreless innings, and his eight strikeouts matched a season high.
Robby Sexton (4-6) entered the game in the seventh for Greenville, and he struck out a pair of hitters to leave the bases loaded in the frame. He earned the win after firing a perfect top of the eighth as well.
On the other side, Braves (23-22, 61-54) hurler Joey Wentz shut out the Drive over five and two-third innings while striking out eight hitters of his own.
Espinal and Tyler Hill notched two hits apiece atop the Drive lineup.
Saturday's doubleheader at Fluor Field will begin at 5:30 PM, and both games are scheduled for seven innings. The opener will see Drive left-hander Jay Groome (3-4, 6.68) face off against Braves right-hander Jeremy Walker (4-11, 4.78), and in the nightcap, Drive right-hander Daniel Gonzalez (7-2, 3.15) will duel with Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (4-5, 3.29).
~Greenville Drive~

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