The Calgary Vipers slugged out 17 hits en route to a 9-5 victory over the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas. The Snakes came into the game with a league leading .302 average and continued to hit the baseball all over the park. Chris Schutt went seven innings giving up eight hits and five runs as the Vipers moved within a half game of first place in the North Division.
Calgary jumped on the scoreboard right away in the first inning as they loaded the bases with a Darryl Brinkley single, Nelson Castro double, and Carlos Duncan hit by pitch. Mitch Evans with one out delivered a two run single to left field to make the score 2-0.
The lead was cut in half in the second inning when Jason Belcher singled home Calvin Pickering.
Another two spot was added by the Vipers in the third as Carlos Duncan led off with his third homerun of the season. Drew Miller later in the inning plated Jason Colson for the 4-1 lead.
Once again the lead was cut in half in the fourth when Nelson Gord hit a solo homerun.
The Snakes added a run in the sixth as speedy Manabu Kuramochi singled, stole second, took third on a botched throw to second, and then scored on a passed ball.
It was a one run ballgame after the bottom of the sixth though as Belcher picked up his second RBI of the game bringing in Mario Delgado and Aharon Eggleston drove in Gord to close the game to 5-4.
However another crooked number was posted right away in the seventh by Calgary as Drew Miller hit his first homerun of the season. Aaron McEachran, making his season debut, walked, Jorge Tang singled, and Brinkley doubled to plate both making the score 8-4.
Kansas City chipped away in the bottom half of the inning as Delgado hit a homer down the left field line.
Calgary got that run right back in the top of the eighth as Miller walked, moved to third on a McEachran single, and scored on a wild pitch.
Tom Lyons was very effective out of the bullpen going the final two innings and giving up just one hit.
Brinkley and Castro had three hit nights while Duncan, Colson, Miller, and Tang all picked up two a piece.
This series continues Wednesday at 6:05 PM (MDT) and Thursday at 10:05 AM (MDT). All games can be heard live online at
www.am770chqr.com. The Vipers return home next Friday night for a double header starting at 6:05 PM (MDT) against the Edmonton Cracker-Cats and wrap up that series Saturday at 5:05 PM (MDT) and Sunday at 1:35 PM (MDT). Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255).
