The Calgary Vipers picked up their first victory of the second half with a 12-6 win over the Edmonton Cracker-Cats at Telus Field in Edmonton, Alberta. Seven Vipers had multi hit games, led by Drew Miller and Jorge Tang with three a piece. Shaun Ashman also picked up his third straight multi hit game while also driving in four runs for now six batted in on the series.

 

Edmonton scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first when Rob Recuenco walked, moved to second on a Ryan Radmanovich single, and scored on a Terrence McClain base hit.

 

The Vipers responded right away in the second inning with back to back doubles by Jason Colson and Kyle Nichols to tie the game. Tang reached on a fielder's choice that moved Nichols to third base for a Ashman sacrifice fly and the lead. Manabu Kuramochi followed with a single and Miller capped off the inning by cashing Tang with a base hit for the 3-1 lead.

 

Right back came the Cracker-Cats in the bottom of the inning with leadoff walks to Brian Munhall and Chris Becker. With two outs George Sandel hit his first homerun of the year to give Edmonton the lead. It became back to back homeruns after Recuenco went deep to make the score 5-3.

 

Calgary again bounced right back though with four of their own runs in the top of the third. Carlos Duncan started with a single, Nichols walked, and Kevin Price doubled to score Duncan. Ashman followed and gave the Snakes their second lead with a double of his own to score both Nichols and Price. Kuramochi capped of the inning with a RBI single to score Ashman for a 7-5 lead.

 

In the fourth inning former Viper Phil Sobkow came into the game and after getting two outs plunked Duncan and Colson followed by smacking his 11th homerun of the season to give the Snakes a 9-5 lead.

 

A run was scored in the bottom of the fourth as Sandel lead off with a walk and after a sacrifice bunt and fly ball was at third base. McClain followed by reaching on a passed ball strikeout and with runners at first and third took off for a steal and was picked off but was in the pickle long enough to allow Sandel to score and cut the lead to three at 9-6.

 

The Snakes lead was increased in the top of the seventh with a base hit and double by Nichols and Price. Tang followed with an RBI single and Ashman grounded out for his fourth RBI of the night to make the score 11-6.

 

A two out rally gave the Vipers a 12th run in the ninth inning with singles by Tang and Ashman and a walk by Kuramochi to load the bases. Miller delivered his second run batted in of the evening and 17th team hit for the 12-6 lead.

 

Chris Schutt made the start for Calgary and picked up his team leading seventh victory going five innings giving up five earned runs while striking out three. Tom Lyons threw a solid two innings out of the bullpen giving up only one hit and Jeff Groeger closed out the ballgame going the final two innings and facing the minimum six batters while striking out four of them.

 

This series continues Saturday night at 7:11 PM (MDT) and concludes Sunday at 1:35 PM (MDT). All games can be heard live online at am770chqr.com. Calgary returns home Monday July 16th at 7:05 PM (MDT) to open a seven game home stand against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255).