Behind solid pitching the Calgary Vipers defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes 6-3 at CanWest Global Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Six pitchers combined to allow just seven hits and three runs while walking four and striking out five. With the win Calgary takes two of three from Winnipeg and improves their road record to 8-2.
In the top of the first leadoff man Darryl Brinkley hit his fourth homerun of the season to give the Vipers the early lead.
The Snakes added to the lead in the second when Drew Miller walked, Kevin Price reached on a fielder's choice, Jorge Tang singled and Manabu Kuramochi drove in a run and reached on a E6.
Antoin Gray of the Goldeyes cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second with a solo homerun.
Winnipeg took the lead in the fifth when Scott Schade singled, Luis Alen reached on a fielder's choice, Max Poulin double, and Cameron Coughlan and Chris Latham drove home runs to make the score 3-2.
Calgary regained the lead right back in the sixth with again the bottom of the line-up doing the damage. Mitch Evans singled, Miller reached on a E7, Price doubled to bring in Evans and Tang singled to plate Miller making the score 4-3.
The Snakes added some insurance in the ninth when Brinkley tripled, Carlos Duncan followed with a RBI double, and Jason Colson brought in Duncan with a single.
Kazu Minami got the start for Calgary and got his second win of the season going six innings and allowing three runs. The bullpen of Geoff Freeborn, Ryan Klatt, Ryan Olson, Tom Lyons, and David Manning combined for the final three innings allowing just one hit and striking out three. Manning picked up his third save of the season.
Rookies Price and Tang had break out games going a combined four-for-eight scoring a run and both driving in one.
Brinkley with a three-for-five, two runs scored and an RBI extended his hitting streak to 16 games while Miller extended his on base streak to 17 games.
The Vipers are now 9-8 and in sole possession of second place in the North Division, one games behind first place Fargo-Moorhead.
Calgary returns home Tuesday to start a nine game home stand. The Edmonton Cracker-Cats are in town Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with all games starting at 7:05 PM (MDT). Tickets can be ordered by phone at 277-BALL (2255). All games can be heard live online at www.am770chqr.com.
