News Summary
The Greenville Drive clinched a strong 7-2 win against the Rome Emperors, finishing the series 5-1. Key players included Franklin Arias with a two-run homer and Eduardo Rivera, who struck out eight batters. The Drive exhibited dominant batten performance and capitalized on defensive errors by the Emperors, improving their record to 30-27. Next, they face the Hudson Valley Renegades as they aim to build on their current momentum.
Greenville – The Greenville Drive clinched a decisive 7-2 victory over the Rome Emperors on Sunday afternoon, securing a 5-1 series win in their six-game matchup at Fluor Field. The success propels the Drive’s record to 30-27, surpassing the .500 mark by three games, while the Emperors fall to 27-30.
Key performances included a standout game from Franklin Arias, who went 2-for-5, highlighted by a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Eduardo Rivera also shined on the mound, striking out eight batters over 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run and posting a record of 3-1 for the season.
The Drive established momentum in the third inning, scoring four runs. The inning began with Yophery Rodriguez and Nelly Taylor reaching base, setting the stage for Antonio Anderson’s single and Nazzan Zanetello’s two-run RBI hit to left. A misplay by Rome’s left fielder, Jace Grady, further aided the Drive by allowing an additional run to score. Brooks Brannon capped off the rally with a run brought home on a mishandled fielder’s choice by shortstop Lizandro Espinoza.
Following a solo home run by Rome’s E.J. Exposito in the sixth, the Drive quickly responded. Brannon initiated the inning with a single, followed by a double from Freili Encarnacion. Justin Riemer hit a sacrifice fly shortly after, bringing Brannon home. Arias then extended the lead significantly by launching a two-run blast off Rome reliever Samuel Strickland, leading to a commanding 7-1 edge for Greenville.
Although Exposito was the lone standout for Rome, batting 3-for-4 and accounting for both of Rome’s runs, the Emperors struggled overall. A total of 12 batters struck out during the game, contributing to top-line numbers for the Drive, which out-hit Rome 10-7. Greenville was also able to capitalize on Rome’s defensive lapses, taking advantage of three errors committed by the Emperors.
Rivera’s stellar pitching performance included allowing only six hits and issuing just one walk. Relievers Erik Rivera and Darvin Garcia worked together to cover 3 1/3 innings, ensuring that the Drive maintained control throughout the match. Rivera’s efforts have made him a key player in a series where the Drive dominated, achieving a stunning run differential of 33-14 against Rome over the six games.
Looking ahead, the Greenville Drive will continue their season as they prepare to face the Hudson Valley Renegades for another six-game series starting Tuesday. With momentum on their side following this weekend’s success, the Drive aim to build upon their current record and further establish themselves in the league standings.
As the series against Rome concludes, the Drive will look to maintain their form, focusing on pitching and defense as they enter their next challenge.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Drive: Franklin Arias Named Player of the Month
- Wikipedia: South Atlantic League
- CBS News: Minor League Ballpark Revives Town
- Google Search: Greenville Drive Minor League Baseball
- Greenville Online: Fluor Field Boosts Businesses
- Google Scholar: Minor League Baseball Economic Impact
- Milb: May Players of the Month
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Minor League Baseball
- Greenville Drive: Walk-Off Win Against Spartanburg
- Google News: Greenville Drive
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
