Lexington, KY - A four-run bottom of the second inning gave the Lexington Legends a lead they wouldn't give up in an 8-4 victory over the Greenville Drive in Monday's series opener.
Lexington, KY - A four-run bottom of the second inning gave the Lexington Legends a lead they wouldn't give up in an 8-4 victory over the Greenville Drive in Monday's series opener.
Jeison Guzman delivered the big hit in the inning for the Legends (4-1), as he lined a three-run triple to center field off Alex Scherff (0-1), who was making his professional debut. Guzman then came in to score when the throw to cut him down at third base bounced out of play.
The Drive (2-3) had just taken a 2-0 lead in the top half of the frame. Everlouis Lozada and Michael Osinski singled in the inning, and after a walk later in the inning loaded the bases, Kervin Suarez reached on a Lexington error that plated both runs.
The score remained 4-2 until the bottom of the fifth, when Nick Pratto cracked a two-out, two-run homer off Scherff.
A pair of two-out runs by the Drive in the seventh got the Drive within striking distance. After a Cole Brannen walk and a C.J. Chatham single, Pedro Castellanos hit an RBI double to plate Brannen, and Chatham came in on an error in right field.
The Legends got both of those runs back in the bottom half with Angel Padron on the mound for the Drive. A passed ball plated the first run, and Seuly Matias added an RBI single.
Andrew Beckwith (1-0) got the win with two and one-third innings in relief of Lexington starter Andres Sotillet, who worked into the fifth and didn't allow an earned run.
Osinski and Chatham each picked up a pair of hits for Greenville. Both players have hit safely in each of their four games this season.
Guzman went 2-4 with three RBI to lead the way for Lexington, while Matias added two hits.
The series continues on Tuesday in Lexington at 7:05 PM. Drive left-hander Jhonathan Diaz (1-0, 0.00) looks to build off his start of six scoreless innings on Opening Night, and he will be opposed by Legends right-hander Nolan Watson (0-0, 3.60).
~Greenville Drive~
