BRISTOL, Va. — As he has all season, speedy leadoff hitter Justin Greene provided the spark for the Bristol White Sox when they needed it the most.
Greene scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning as Bristol collected a wild 6-5 victory over the Bluefield Orioles on Friday night at DeVault Stadium.
It was the fourth straight win for Bristol (7-3) and once again came in dramatic fashion.
Bluefield (3-8) erased a 2-0 deficit with a three-run eighth inning.
However, the BriSox battled back and scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth, including a monster two-run home run by Kenneth Gilbert that sailed over the fence in right field and gave Bristol the lead.
Bluefield responded by tying the score in the top of the ninth on a two-run pinch-hit homer by Richard D’Oleo.
That set the stage for Greene. Facing Bluefield reliever Colin Allen, Greene lined a single up the middle to begin the bottom of the ninth inning.
“[Hitting coach Jerry Hairston Sr.] told me to put the ball in play and use your speed,” Greene said. “I got a good pitch to hit and drove it up the middle.”
Greene advanced to second on a botched pickoff attempt, took third on a groundball by Jordan Kendall and then raced home when Allen’s pitch couldn’t be corralled by Bluefield catcher Joshua Tarnow.
“When it gets by the catcher you have to go,” Greene said. “I just use my speed.”
Greene finished with two hits, stole a base and leads all of Bristol’s regulars with a .371 batting average.
“He’s been doing a good job,” Bristol manager Bobby Thigpen said. “You kind of experiment with guys [at this level] and it seems a good fit for him in the leadoff spot.”
Gilbert had three hits and two RBIs for Bristol, while Andrew Garcia hit his second home run of the season and also drove in two runs.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher Garrett Johnson tossed five shutout innings to lower his ERA to 0.73 and continue his dominant season.
Johnson struck out seven, walked two and allowed just four hits.
Ironically, Bristol reliever Brent DeFoor (1-0, 7.71 ERA) got the win, despite surrendering a lead on two occasions.
However, another Bristol comeback was in the cards.
“We’ve had two or three games where we’ve had leads, lost leads, yet we come right back,” Thigpen said, “We like that as far as the make-up of the ballclub. Even though you’re behind, they are still thinking in their minds that they have a chance. You can’t really teach that.”
For Greene, his first two weeks as a pro have been impressive. The 22-year-old Goose Creek, S.C. native is staying humble though.
“I’m really excited,” Greene said. “I’m definitely blessed to have the chance to continue and play baseball. I’m just taking it one step at a time.”
NOTES: Bluefield starting pitcher Raul Rivero was also solid, allowing one earned run on six hits in six innings of work … Bluefield’s hitting coach is Bristol native Jim Saul … Chicago White Sox farm director Buddy Bell, a former MLB All-Star third baseman, was in attendance … Bristol will go for a sweep of Bluefield as the three-game series concludes tonight at 7 p.m. at DeVault Stadium.
Bluefield 000 000 032—5 7 2
Bristol 000 110 031—6 12 1
Rivero, Gurka (7), Allen (9) and Tarnow. G. Johnson, Kuehn (6), DeFoor (8) and Dubler. W—DeFoor (1-0). L—Allen (0-1). HR—Garcia (BriSox), 5th, none on; Gilbert (BriSox), 8th, one on; D’Oleo (Bluefield), 9th, one on.
thayes@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2570
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