Drive Fall to Shorebirds, 10-3
It was a home game for the Greenville Drive (8-14) on Friday night, and the Delmarva Shorebirds (12-10) were rude guests, as they rode a 12-hit performance to a 10-3 victory at Fluor Field.
The Shorebirds scored three runs in the top of the first against Drive starter Justin Haley (0-3). The big innings started with a two-out walk to Joel Hutter. Christian Walker snuck a single through the right side, and Creede Simpson's bloop single to center scored Hutter. After a walk, Delmarva received another bloop single, this one from Torsten Boss, that plated a pair.
Gregory Lorenzo extended Delmarva's lead to 4-0 in the second as he drove a 2-0 fastball over the wall in right for a solo homer. Boss came up to lead off the fourth and smacked a homer just inside the right-field foul pole for another solo homer to make it a 5-0 lead.
The Delmarva lead went to 6-0 in the fifth when Walker's single to center plated Hutter, who walked to lead off the frame.
The run in the fifth was the only blemish on the night for Drive reliever Yunior Ortega, as he threw three and one-third innings of relief, allowing the lone run and two hits while striking out two.
The Drive finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth when Delmarva starter Josh Hader uncorked a wild pitch that scored Dreily Guerrero.
Greenville cut the lead to 6-3 in the seventh when Boss Moanaroa plated Cody Koback on an RBI double to right, while a fielding error by Hutter brought home Moanaroa later in the frame.
Delmarva added a three-spot in the eighth and another run in the ninth to put the game out of reach.
Lorenzo had four hits on the evening to pace Delmarva's offensive attack. Boss collect two hits and three RBIs, while Walker and Chase Weems each added a pair of hits.
The same two teams will meet on Saturday night for game two of the four-game set at Fluor Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. LHP Brian Johnson (0-1, 2.70 ERA) starts for the Drive, while the Shorebirds will send RHP Brady Wager (2-1, 5.29 ERA) to the mound.