Drive Fall to Legends in Friday's Series Opener

Greenville, SC - Friday night's series opener at Fluor Field was dominated by the Lexington Legends, as they were sparked by an eight-run third inning in a 17-7 defeat of the Greenville Drive.
Already leading 1-0 entering the third, the Legends (5-4, 39-39) put the game out of reach with the big inning. Gabriel Cancel and Yeison Melo both smacked RBI doubles in the inning.
Jhonathan Diaz (2-2) was tagged for nine runs and 10 hits over two and one-third innings, and he took the loss for the Drive. 
Lexington sent eight more runners home throughout the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. 
The Drive (2-7, 43-35) offense came alive for a four-run fifth with the game already out of reach. Tyler Spoon and Isaias Lucena each hit RBI singles in the frame, while Mitchell Gunsolus drove in two with a single of his own.
A highlight late in the game for the Drive came from Tucker Tubbs. Coming in from first base to pitch for the second time this season, Tubbs did not allow a run in three and-two third innings, and he gave up just two hits while recording a 1-2-3 ninth on three pitches.   

Spoon led the Greenville offense with three hits, two runs and an RBI. Gunsolus drove in three runs with his two hits, and Santiago Espinal added two hits of his own.
Melo and Angelo Castellano each picked up four hits for Lexington. Cancel and Khalil Lee added three hits on the night.
Vance Tatum (1-0) got the win for the Legends with two and two-third innings of middle relief.
The Drive look to bounce back on Saturday night at Fluor Field when left-hander Logan Boyd (7-4, 4.34 ERA) takes the mound against Legends right-hander Jace Vines (7-3, 2.91 ERA). Game two of the series is set for 7:05.