The Calgary Vipers dropped their second straight game with a 12-8 defeat at the hands of the Winnipeg Goldeyes at CanWest Global Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Overall it was the fourth consecutive loss by the Vipers to the Goldeyes in the last week. The game also featured three ejections to Calgary's manager Mike Busch, pitcher Evan Greusel, and pitching coach Pat Daneker.
Calgary scored a run in the top of the first inning on Nelson Castro's fourth home run of the season for the 1-0 game.
Winnipeg responded right away in the bottom of the inning to tie and take the lead with two runs. Demond Smith singled and Brent Metheny hit his 21st home run of the season.
The game was tied in the next half inning as the Vipers Manabu Kuramochi reached and scored on a Darryl Brinkley run batted in.
But once again right back came the Goldeyes with two more runs in the bottom of the second. Fehlandt Lentini grounded out and Smith singled for the two runs batted in and the 4-2 lead.
Three more runs were tacked on by the Fish in the bottom of the third to take a 7-2 lead. After two singles by Luis Alen and Corey Stang, Max Poulin doubled both home and he later scored from third base on a balk.
A run was scored by the Snakes in the fifth inning as Carlos Duncan reached with a infield single and Kyle Nichols doubled. On the relay throw in Antoin Gray commited an error and it allowed Duncan to score.
However for the third time in the game when Calgary scored a run in the top of an inning, Winnipeg responded with two runs in the bottom of that inning. Aaron McEachran singled and Alen hit a two run shot for the 9-3 lead.
Insurance runs were added by the Goldeyes in the sixth and seventh innings. McEachran picked up a sacrifice fly and Smith grounded out for the two runs and the 11-3 game.
The Vipers tried to make it a game in the top of the eighth with five runs. Drew Miller singled, Jorge Tang double, and Shaun Ashman cashed Miller with a base hit. Kuramochi followed with a walk and Brinkley crushed a grand slam home run. It was Brinkley's 13th homer of the year and gave him five runs batted in on the night.
But 11-8 was as close as the Snakes would get as Alen hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth to cap the scoring.
This series continues Sunday August 26 at 12:30 PM (MDT) and the series wraps up Monday August 27th and Tuesday August 28 at 6:00 PM (MDT).
Fans can watch 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 return home Wednesday August 29th, Thursday August 30th, and Friday August 31st all at 7:05 PM (MDT) against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. The five game series will continue on Saturday September 1st at 5:05 PM (MDT) and Sunday September 2nd at 1:35 PM (MDT) to close out the 2007 regular season. Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255).
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.
