Deep flies sink Drive in series finale; ‘Hoppers defeat Drive 7-2
For back-to-back games the three-run deep fly doomed the Greenville Drive (1-2) as the Greensboro Grasshoppers (2-1) knocked a pair en route to a 7-2 victory, zapping a Drive lead to earn the Opening Week series victory. The ‘Hoppers drew first blood in the first inning as Termarr Johnson slapped
For back-to-back games the three-run deep fly doomed the Greenville Drive (1-2) as the Greensboro Grasshoppers (2-1) knocked a pair en route to a 7-2 victory, zapping a Drive lead to earn the Opening Week series victory.
The ‘Hoppers drew first blood in the first inning as Termarr Johnson slapped a one-out single into left that left fielder Miguel Ugueto mishandled, allowing Jack Brannigan to score from first for the early 1-0 lead.
Johnson’s single would be the only hit that Drive starter Hayden Mullins relinquished in 2.2 innings of work. He’d allow three walks as well coupled with two strikeouts in his Drive debut.
The Drive struggled offensively through the first six innings, picking up just three hits though two of those would be RBI knocks - a double from Ronald Rosario in the third and an infield single from Bryan Gonzalez in the fourth to put the Drive up 2-1.
The lead would last for all of two outs in the ‘Hoppers' top of the fourth. After a Tyler Miller throwing error put a runner at first, a walk issued by reliever Gabriel Jackson put two on for Brannigan. One pitch later, Brannigan made it 4-2 ‘Hoppers with a homer to left. Jackson finished his 2.1 innings of relief with three strikeouts
In the sixth the ‘Hoppers again made life tough for a Drive reliever, stringing together base knocks off Cade Feeney before Lonnie White Jr., smoked his second three-run shot of the series to put the game out of reach at 7-2.
The Drive threatened to cut into the lead in the seventh as Caden Rose and Miller reached safely. But a strikeout from Bryan Gonzalez and an inning-ending double play off the bat of Cutter Coffey ended any Drive thoughts of mounting a comeback.. In all the Drive went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.
The Drive would go down in order in the ninth, preserving the 'Hoppers victory.
The Greenville Drive return to action for a six-game Opening Week at Fluor Field on Tuesday, April 9th with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. against the Bowling Green Hot Rods, affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.