The Calgary Vipers got one big inning and one big pitching performance in their 10-3 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The Vipers sent 14 batters to the plate and collected ten runs on nine hits in the bottom of the third inning for all of their scoring in the game. Starter Scott Sarver was spectacular going eight innings and giving up only three hits for one run while striking out five and only walking two. The win gives the three game series victory to the Snakes and a chance to sweep the RedHawks tomorrow night.
In his return to the line-up Joe Mathis led off the game with a solo home run for his 15th of the season and the early 1-0 lead.
The Vipers tied the game and added nine other runs in the third with a double digit inning. Manabu Kuramochi started the inning with his fifth triple of the season and Darryl Brinkley followed with his 12th home run of the year for the 2-1 lead. However the scoring was not close to being over as Drew Miller walked, Carlos Duncan singled, and Jason Colson and Kyle Nichols both picked up RBI singles. Nelson Castro followed with a RBI double for a fifth run and Mitch Evans supplied a sixth with his own RBI base hit. Jorge Tang drove in a run when he reached on a fielder's choice as the ninth batter to hit in the inning. Kuramochi followed by also reaching on a fielder's choice and Brinkley reached on a base on balls. Miller followed with a RBI base knock and Duncan capped the inning with a two run double off the centerfield wall for the 10-1 lead.
In the top of the ninth the RedHawks Ruben Salazar singled with two outs and Billy Munoz hammered a two run shot to close out the scoring at 10-3.
This series concludes Wednesday August 22nd at 7:05 PM (MDT) and it is mini-baseball key chain giveaway night at the ballpark. Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). Calgary heads to Winnipeg for a five game series against the Goldeyes starting Friday August 24th and Saturday August 25th at 6:00 PM (MDT). Sunday August 26th the two teams play at 12:30 PM (MDT) and the series wraps up Monday August 27th and Tuesday August 28th at 6:00 PM (MDT). Fans can watch Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday's games on Calgary's SHAW-TV Channel 10. All games can also 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, September 4 and Wednesday, September 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.
