The Calgary Vipers ninth inning comeback fell one run short as the Winnipeg Goldeyes defeated them 9-8 at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The Vipers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game and three more in the bottom of the ninth but Winnipeg's top of the ninth inning was just enough for the victory.

 

Calgary scored the game's first runs in the second with a leadoff walk to Kyle Nichols followed by a single from Nelson Castro. After Kevin Price flashed a bunt on the first two pitches he was swinging away at a one-one pitch and doubled down the left field line for the 1-0 lead. With Castro at third Manabu Kuramochi hit a sacrifice fly for the 2-0 lead.

Walter Young led off the top of the fourth with a leadoff single and was followed by a one out double from Brent Metheny. With two runners in scoring position Luis Alen hit a groundball in the hole on the left side of the infield for a single to score Young and cut the lead in half at 2-1.

The Goldeyes took the lead in the fifth with a leadoff walk to Fehlandt Lentini and base hit from Anton French. Chris Latham followed with a two run double for the 3-2 score.

Winnipeg added to their lead in the seventh inning with a leadoff single by Lentini that chased Calgary starter Kazu Minami from the game. Chris Latham reached on a Carlos Duncan error and Scott Schade and Young followed with back to back RBI singles to make the score 5-2.

The Vipers tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with a three run rally. Jason Colson started it with his third hit of the night, Nichols followed with a base hit to put two on at the corners. Price picked up his second run batted in on the night with a single to cut the lead down to two runs. After a groundout by Jorge Tang to move the runners to second and third base, Kuramochi picked up a clutch two out, two run double to tie the game at five. For Kuramochi it was his second and third runs batted in on the night.

Right back came the Fish in the top of the ninth though with Lentini leading off his fourth inning by getting on base, this time with his third single of the night. French followed with a base hit and Latham smoked his second two run double of the game for a 7-5 lead. Schade and Young followed with walks and Gray singled for a run batted in and Metheny capped the scoring with what turned out to be a huge sacrifice fly.