The Calgary Vipers lost their third straight game with a 10-3 thrashing at the hands of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The RedHawks with the win and a Winnipeg Goldeyes loss clinched the North Division second half title and claimed their spot in the playoffs where they will meet the Vipers starting on Tuesday. In the two games of this series Fargo-Moorhead has compiled 22 runs on 26 hits while holding the league's top offence to four runs on 11 hits. Dane Renkert picked up his league leading 13th win tonight as he went six inning and gave up five hits for the three runs while striking out four.
In the top of the first inning the RedHawks picked up where they left off the night before starting with a leadoff single by Joe Mathis who stole second base and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher Shaun Ashman. Mike Just drove him in with a RBI double and he then stole third base as Tydus Meadows walked. Richard Austin also doubled for a run and Ruben Salazar grounded out to bring in Meadows for the 3-0 lead. Salazar however had to leave the game with an apparent back injury.
The Vipers bats finally woke up in the bottom of the fourth inning with three runs to tie the game. Drew Miller was hit by a pitch for a league high 23rd time and Carlos Duncan singled to put two runners on base. Jason Colson followed with his second triple of the season to knock in two runs and improve his league high RBI total to 86. Nelson Castro delivered a RBI single through the left side of the infield to tie the game at three.
Right back came Fargo-Moorhead however to retake the lead in the next half inning. Dan Maycock leadoff with a single, Adam Shorsher walked, and Just sent a line drive into centerfield that got over the head of Darryl Brinkley and off his glove for a base hit. Brinkley though quickly picked up the ball and fired it into Castro who relayed it to the plate in time to get Maycock. Meadows was then hit by a pitch to load the bases and Austin was walked to push across the go ahead run at 4-3.
Three more runs were tacked on in the top of the sixth by the RedHawks to take a four run lead. Kory Wayment and Maycock singled to put runners at the corners for Shorsher who brought in Wayment with a sacrifice fly. Mathis singled for another run and that chased Calgary starter Evan Greusel from the game. Jordy Alexander came in and gave up a RBI double to Just for the 7-3 game. Greusel went five and two third innings for the loss giving up seven runs on eight hits while walking four.
More insurance runs were added in the top of the eighth as Wayment walked and both Maycock and Shorsher delivered RBI doubles. Meadows capped off the inning with a RBI single to give the RedHawks double digits and a 10-3 lead.
The RedHawks bullpen took care of the final three innings with Adam Rowe, Jason Schutt, and Doug Young combining for three strikeouts and giving up only one hit.
This series continues Friday August 31 at 7:05 PM and it is "Noche De Beisbol" as the Vipers salute their Venezuelan and Dominican players. On Saturday September 1 at 5:05 PM all women attending will receive a free gift for Labour Day and on Sunday September 2 at 1:35 PM it is fan appreciation day to close out the 2007 regular season. Also on Sunday the 2007 Player Awards will be handed out and fans will receive a team photo. Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). The 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 on both nights their will be fireworks following the games. 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.
