The Calgary Vipers snapped a two game losing streak with a 11-8 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The game featured four RedHawks ejections and a nine run sixth inning. The Vipers carried a 3-0 lead into the sixth only to see Fargo-Moorhead score six runs and have the temporary lead until Calgary tied the game in the bottom of the inning. The Snakes followed up the next inning taking their second and final lead of the evening.
Calgary opened the scoring in the third inning starting with a leadoff walk to Jorge Tang. With the hit and run on Manabu Kuramochi grounded out to move Tang to second base. He would reach third base on a wild pitch and with two outs Drew Miller also walked. Carlos Duncan cashed the first run of the game when he hit a groundball that third baseman Ruben Salazar went to second base with but could not get an out so it was a RBI fielder's choice.
Kyle Nichols hit his 14th home run of the season off the top of the left field fence to leadoff the fourth inning and double the Vipers lead to 2-0.
A third run was added in the fifth inning with walks to Miller, Jason Colson, and Nelson Castro to load the bases. With two outs Mitch Evans hit a ground ball just under the glove of RedHawks' starter Dane Renkert for a RBI infield single and the 3-0 score.
After four ejections to pitching coach Steve Montgomery in the top of the fourth inning, first baseman Billy Munoz in the bottom of the fourth, shortstop Kory Wayment and manager Doug Simunic in the bottom of the fifth the RedHawks exploded for six runs in the top of the sixth. Tydus Meadows was hit by a pitch, Ruben Salazar walked, and Adam Shorsher knocked in a run with a single. Calgary then intentionally walked Dan Maycock to load the bases for Casey Haugen who was hit by a pitch to bring in the second run. Richard Austin followed with a two run single and Mike Just capped the inning with a two run double for the 6-3 lead.
Right back came the Snakes in the bottom of the inning though with three runs to tie up the game. Darryl Brinkley doubled, was cashed by a Miller RBI single, who moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Duncan RBI base hit. Colson made it four consecutive hits with a RBI double for the 6-6 score.
Calgary took their second lead of the game in the seventh inning starting with Tang reaching on a fielding error by Adam Shorsher. Kuramochi moved him to second base with a sacrifice bunt and after Brinkley was intentionally walked for a league high tenth time, Miller picked up his second RBI single for the 7-6 advantage.
In the eighth inning Calgary added four more insurance runs. Nichols singled and after a Castro sacrifice bunt Evans doubled him home. Tang followed with a base hit and Kuramochi knocked in a run with single. Miller walked for the third time in the game and Duncan picked up his third and fourth runs batted in on the night for the 11-6 lead.
Salazar and Shorsher walked to start the ninth inning and both scored on a Maycock two run double for the 11-8 final.
Activated from the disabled list prior to the game Evan Greusel picked up his sixth victory of the season as he threw two scoreless innings while striking out three.
This series continues Tuesday August 21st, and Wednesday August 22nd both at 7:05 PM (MDT). Wednesday's game is also mini-baseball key chain giveaway night. Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). The games can be heard live online at
am770chqr.com.
The Vipers are already selling playoff tickets. The Northern League North Division Final opens in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 4 and Wednesday, Sept. 5. And the Vipers are also offering free parking for the Labour Day Classic between the Stampeders and Eskimos for any football fan who buys a Vipers playoff ticket.
