Gambrell goes seven strong innings as Drive outlast Dash 5-4
A week after his best outing of the year, Greenville Drive (14-17) starter Grant Gambrell took command again, working a solid seven innings for the Drive as he mowed down the Winston-Salem Dash (21-9) lineup, helping the Drive secure a 5-4 victory. Beyond Gambrell’s steady hand on the mound, the
A week after his best outing of the year, Greenville Drive (14-17) starter Grant Gambrell took command again, working a solid seven innings for the Drive as he mowed down the Winston-Salem Dash (21-9) lineup, helping the Drive secure a 5-4 victory. Beyond Gambrell’s steady hand on the mound, the Drive unleashed a five-run second inning which proved to be the difference maker. Gambrell ultimately tossed 82 pitches tonight - 62 for strikes, while forcing nine ground outs, and did not give up a single walk.
As with previous nights, the Dash opened up an early lead this time a 3-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a three-run home run by Chris Lanzilli. But the Drive would respond in turn in their half of the inning.
Eddinson Paulino would get the rally started as he ripped a one-out triple down the right field line before Miguel Ugueto blasted a home run over the Green Monster, his first of the year to make it 3-2. Eduardo Lopez followed the home run up with a single, Alex Erro walked and Max Ferguson singled to load the bases bring Blaze Jordan up to the plate. And Jordan wouldn’t miss his opportunity sending a screaming line drive to the base of the right field wall, clearing the bases to give the Drive a 5-3 lead.
From there, Gambrell rode the momentum generated by the offense, stealing from the mound without giving up a run over the next five innings. He’d finish the night in the seventh inning recording a final line of allowing just three runs on five hits, issuing no walks and striking out seven, including allowing only one hit across the last eight batters he faced.
Alex Hoppe spun the eighth inning for the Drive allowing one run on one hit while walking one and collecting a strikeout. His inning set the stage for reliever Robert Kwiatkowski whose three-up-three-down inning earned him his second save of the year and the Drive a 5-4 victory.
The Drive (Boston Red Sox) and Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox) return to action tomorrow, May 13 at 7:05 p.m. for game five of the six-game series at Fluor Field. Both teams will take part in the Copa de la Diversion initiative as the Drive become the Ranas de Rio and the Dash become the Salsa. The Dash currently hold 3-1 lead in the series.