RiverDogs Defeat Drive 7-2 to Even Series

Greenville, SC - A pair of multi-run innings late in Saturday's game gave the Charleston RiverDogs a 7-2 victory over the Greenville Drive in front of 5,445 fans at Fluor Field.

With the score tied at two in the top of the seventh, the RiverDogs (11-12) took the lead with one swing of the bat, as Wilkerman Garcia lifted a two-run home run to right field, his second homer of the game, off Alberto Franco (0-1).
Three runs in the top of the ninth added some insurance, as Charleston received RBI hits from Dalton Blaser and Ricardo Ferreira as well as a double steal of second and home.
Charleston jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Drive (4-19) starter Jhonathan Diaz. Leonardo Molina's single in the fourth plated Jason Lopez, who hit a two-out ground rule double to right. Garcia's first homer of the day was a solo shot to left-center in the fifth that extended the lead.
The Drive offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth to knot the game up at two. Cole Brannen led off with a walk and a steal of second, and Victor Acosta doubled down the left field line to bring Brannen home. C.J. Chatham followed with a line drive double of his own to bring in Acosta.
Charleston starter Garrett Whitlock shut down the Greenville offense for five innings with seven strikeouts. Anderson Severino (1-0) got the win despite allowing both Drive runs.
Acosta went 2-4 with two doubles to continue his scorching hot streak, and he now boasts a .373 batting average for the season. Chatham added two hits on the night as well.
The rubber game of the series begins at 4:05 on Sunday afternoon at Fluor Field. The Drive will send right-hander Kutter Crawford (0-1, 2.84) to the mound, and the RiverDogs will counter with right-hander Nick Nelson (1-1, 5.09).
~Greenville Drive~