The Calgary Vipers set a new franchise mark with five home runs in a game in their 12-2 win over the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas. Prior to tonight's game the club
had hit three home runs in a game five times for the old record. Evan Greusel picked up his third win of the season going six innings, allowing two runs and striking out four in his second straight start on three days rest. The Snakes remain a half game back of first place Winnipeg in the North Division with 18 games left in the first half of the season.
After a Drew Miller single Kevin Price hit his first home run of the season to give Calgary the 2-0 lead in the second inning.
Mario Delgado responded for the T-Bones in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run of his own.
The long ball game continued in the top of the third as Jason Colson followed a Carlos Duncan walk with his team leading fifth dinger of the year to make the score 4-1.
Kansas City once again responded with a lone run in the bottom of the inning with Neb Brown cashing Aharon Eggleston on a sacrifice fly.
For the third straight inning the Snakes hit a two run home run in the top of the fourth. This time, after a Jorge Tang bunt single, it was Darryl Brinkley tying Colson with his fifth blast of the year and giving the Vipers a four run lead at 6-2.
The fourth two run home run of the game was hit for the Vipers in the sixth inning and for the second time in the game it was off the bat of Brinkley. Manabu Kuramochi led off the inning with a single and Brinkley hit his sixth of the year to center field, making the score 8-2. Nelson Castro added to his league leading doubles total with his 13th of the season and with two outs Mitch Evans drove him home with a base hit. Miller followed with a walk and Aaron McEachran, pinch hitting for Price, and in only his second game of the season, blasted a three run shot to give Calgary a double digit lead at 12-2.
The bullpen was very effective again for the Snakes with Geoff Freeborn, Ryan Klatt, and, making his debut, Matt Brown combing for the final three innings not giving up a single hit.
All ten Vipers' that came to the plate picked up at least one hit with Brinkley leading the way with his three-for-five night with the two home runs for four runs batted in. Colson, who extended his on base streak to 23 games, Miller, and Tang all had multi hit games. The Vipers as a team have hit seven home runs in the two games in Kansas City after coming into the series with just 11 in 28 games. The 15 hits on the night add to the Vipers league leading team average at .306.
Calgary goes for the sweep Thursday at 10:05 AM (MDT). The game can be heard live online at
www.am770chqr.com. The Vipers return home 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).
