The Calgary Vipers had hits and runs in only two innings tonight but it was enough for a 10-4 victory over the Edmonton Cracker-Cats at Telus Field in Edmonton, Alberta. In the third and ninth innings the Vipers supplied five runs in each on all of their nine hits for the game. Ryan Klatt in his second start was again great going six innings for his second win of the year. Klatt did not walk a batter all night and struck out three.
Edmonton scored right away in the top of the first inning on a George Sandel double and Ryan Radmanovich RBI single.
In the third inning Calgary responded with a leadoff walk by Mitch Evans and a perfect bunt single by Jorge Tang. Darryl Brinkley reached on a error to load the bases and Drew Miller walked to tie the game.
With two outs, Jason Colson knocked in his 64th and 65th runs batted in with a single. Kyle Nichols and Evans finished off the inning with RBI knocks for the 5-1 lead.
The Cracker-Cats got a run in the bottom of the fifth started by Sandel\'s second double of the evening. Brian Munhall followed with a single and Radmanovich drove in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly.
Another run was added in the sixth with a leadoff single by Terrence McClain. Clint Johnston followed by singling to centerfield on which Tang misplayed the ball allowing McClain to score all the way from first and cut the Calgary lead to 5-3.
The top of the order was back at it again in the seventh with Sandel\'s third hit of the game. Radmanovich picked up another single to move him up and Todd Betts plated Sandel with a single to bring the Cracker-Cats within one at 5-4. However with runners at first and second and one out Tom Lyons was able to educe a groundball for the inning-ending double play.
Lyons picked up another double play in the eighth inning with one out and a man on first to snuff out any chance of a comeback.
In the top of the ninth the Vipers, like in the third inning, sent 11 batters to the plate for five runs. Tang started the inning with a base hit to right field, Manabu Kuramochi walked and Brinkley drove in a run with a double. Miller was intentionally walked to load the bases for Duncan who delivered with a RBI single. With two outs, Nichols brought in two more with a base hit to finish off the inning at 10-5.
Geoff Freeborn came in for a perfect ninth inning to close out the game.
This series continues on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:05 PM (MDT). The games can be heard live online at
. The Vipers then head to Fargo for a three game series before returning home Tuesday August 7th at 7:05 PM (MDT) for a three game home stand against the Schaumburg Flyers. The two teams will also play on Wednesday August 8th and Thursday August 9th at 7:05 PM (MDT). Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255).
