Calgary wasted little time taking the lead in the top of the first inning with a leadoff double by Drew Miller. Nelson Castro followed by bunting and Edmonton pitcher Mike Johnson threw the ball away trying to get Miller at third allowing him to score and Castro to move into second base. From there Jason Colson picked up his 48th RBI of the season with a single to make the score 2-0.
Edmonton responded right back and tied the game after George Sandel and Terrence McClain started the inning by singling and doubling. Rhett Teller grounded out to score Sandel and with two outs Aaron McEachran singled to right field to tie the game at two.
Back and forth the game continued as the Vipers reclaimed the lead in the second with Jorge Tang reaching on a throwing error by Rob Recuenco. After moving to second on a wild pitch and third on a Shaun Ashman ground ball, Manabu Kuramochi doubled him home for a 3-2 lead.
Once again though the Cracker-Cats matched as Recuenco doubled to start the bottom of the inning and scored on a Sandel base knock to tie the game at three.
The Cracker-Cats took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff base hit by Brian Munhall. Chris Becker sacrificed him to second with a bunt and Kevin House picked up his first hit of the series with a double to give Edmonton the 4-3 lead.
With two outs in the seventh Calgary tied the game thanks to Kyle Nichols' tenth homerun of the season.
Calgary grabbed their third lead of the game in the eighth inning with walks to Ashman and Miller for Nelson Castro with two out. Castro promptly picked up his first hit of the night with a double to the gap in left centerfield to score both runs. Carlos Duncan followed with a single to score Castro and make the score 7-4.
Right back came Edmonton though with a hit and walk by Munhall and Becker to leadoff the bottom of the inning. Recuenco followed with a bunt for a hit and in trying to get the out at first Kevin Price threw the ball away allowing Munhall to score. After a walk to Kevin House to load the bases Price threw behind the runner at second base trying to pick him off but the throw allowed Becker to score from third and make it a one run game at 7-6.
The comeback was completed in the bottom of the ninth with a walk to Tim Ryan, single by McEachran, and walk to Munhall to load the bases. On a two ball and two strike count, Becker ended the game with a shot to deep right centerfield for the 8-7 win.
This four game series concludes Sunday at 1:35 PM (MDT). The game 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. The two teams will also play Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all at 7:05 PM (MDT). Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255).
