Braves Bats Park The Drive

Entering Wednesday’s game the Drive (18-16) had almost been unbeatable in day games, posting an 8-1 mark. But the Rome Braves (12-21) plated three runs in the top of the first to earn a 5-3 win, giving Randy Ingle his 1000th career managerial victory.

Drive starter Eammon Portice (2-4) had the first inning jitters, allowing three hits including a two-run double by Freddie Freeman and an RBI-single off the bat of Cody Johnson. From there the right-hander settled down, holding the Braves hitless in the final five innings of his outing.

Portice’s counterpart, southpaw Scott Diamond (3-0) held the Drive scoreless through five of his first seven innings, allowing just a pair of hits to Che-Hsuan Lin, before Greenville scored their only run in the bottom of the sixth.

Kristopher Negron laced a one-out double down the leftfield line. Two batters later, Mike Jones collected an RBI and extended his franchise record hitting streak to 28 with a two-out a single.

While one impressive streak was extended Wednesday, another came to an end. Daniel Bard entered in the seventh inning from the bullpen having not allowed a run in his first 11 appearances, spanning 22.0 innings.

Benji Johnson brought a screeching halt to that, taking Bard’s first offering over the Green Monster for a solo homer. An inning later the Braves scored another run of Bard as Freemen collected an RBI-double.

The Drive will look to get back on the winning track tomorrow as they continue their four-game series on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Terumasa Matsuo will toe the rubber for Greenville as Rome counters with lefty Chad Rodgers.

Heroes Week continues tomorrow as with a Salute to Military Night. For more information on single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.