Drive Fall Late in Monday's Series Opener

Greenville, SC - The Rome Braves scored seven runs over the final two innings of Monday's series opener at Fluor Field to defeat the Greenville Drive 8-2.
A four-run top of the eighth gave the Braves (38-25) the lead for good. Jean Carlos Encarnacion belted a leadoff homer to left-center off Marcos Lantigua (0-6) to tie the game, and the inning also included RBI hits from Derian Cruz and Isranel Wilson, as well as a sacrifice fly by Drew Waters.

Huascar Ynoa (4-6) got the win for the Braves after allowing just two runs over seven innings while striking out five Drive (21-41) hitters. Kelvin Rodriguez worked a pair of scoreless frames to nail down the save.
Durin O'Linger worked five scoreless innings for the Drive in a no-decision. In his first start for Greenville, the right-hander scattered five hits and walked one while striking out three.
Rome got on the board against Lantigua in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Drew Lugbauer, but the Drive took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half. 
Everlouis Lozada singled to begin the inning, and he came home on a double off the Green Monster by Lorenzo Cedrola. Two batters later, Michael Osinski singled through the right side to plate Cedrola for the lead.
The Braves tacked on three more runs in the ninth thanks to RBI hits from Lugbauer and Austin Bush, as well as a Drive error.
Cedrola extended his hitting streak to eight games in the loss. 
Game two of the series will begin at 7:05 PM on Tuesday at Fluor Field. Right-hander Alex Scherff (1-4, 5.20) takes the hill for the Drive, and he will be opposed by Braves right-hander Jasseel De La Cruz (1-2, 2.04).
~Greenville Drive~