GREENVILLE, S.C. - Augusta turned in eight hits to Greenville's three and used a four-run fourth inning to down the Drive 7-0 on Monday night, giving Augusta the 1-0 lead in the teams' four-game series.Augusta took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, thanks to a pop out
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Augusta turned in eight hits to Greenville's three and used a four-run fourth inning to down the Drive 7-0 on Monday night, giving Augusta the 1-0 lead in the teams' four-game series.
Augusta took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, thanks to a pop out and a single. The GreenJackets added four runs in the top of the fourth. Sean Roby doubled, then Ricardo Genoves followed with a walk. Two batters later, Anyesber Sivira grounded into a force out to score Roby, then Tyler Fitzgerald turned in a two-out double to score two. Frankie Tostado singled to score Fitzgerald and Alex Demchak came on to end the inning for the Drive, but not before the GreenJackets had grabbed a 6-0 lead. Jacob Gonzalez homered in the top of the sixth to push the Augusta lead to 7-0.
The Drive's best scoring chance came back in the second. Triston Casas led off the frame with a single to right and three batters later Jordan Wren double to left to put runners at second and third with two outs. A strikeout ended the frame and stranded both runners.
Brendan Nail and Robbie Baker combined to shut down the Augusta offense in the game's final three innings, as neither pitcher gave up a hit, Nail recorded two strikeouts in 2.0 innings and Baker struck out the side in the top of the ninth.
Augusta starter Kai-Wei Teng (2-0) earned the win, allowing no runs on three hits with nine strikeouts. Drive starter Angel Padron (2-7) was tagged with the loss after giving up six runs on five hits in 3.2 innings pitched.
Casas, Wren and Korby Batesole turned in the Drive's three hits, while Tyler Esplin drew a walk.
The Drive and GreenJackets continue their four-game series on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
