The
Calgary Vipers got seven runs in the first inning
and great pitching to defeat the Yuma Scorpions 11-2
at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. Starter
Evan Greusel was once again great throwing seven
innings and allowing six hits for two runs while
walking only one and striking out five. With the
victory the Snakes took three of four from the
Scorpions and improved to 14-12 in the second half
of the season and 40-30 overall.
The
Snakes exploded for seven runs on amazingly only one
hit in the bottom of the first inning for a 7-0
lead. Yuma starter Donald Brandt walked the first
four batters he faced in Nelson Castro, Colin Moro,
Darryl Brinkley, and Felix Jose for a run batted in.
After an out was recorded Jorge Mejia walked for a
RBI and Travis Drader was hit by a pitch for another
RBI. Jorge Tang followed with a ground ball for a
RBI fielder's choice and first baseman A.J.
Valentine threw the ball away committing an error
and allowing Mejia to score behind Jose. Finally
Patrick Arlis picked up a RBI base hit and Castro
plated the seventh run with a sacrifice fly.
In the
bottom of the second inning the Scorpions scratched
across a run for the 7-1 score with two outs when
A.J. Valentine singled and scored all the way from
first base on a Pete Farina RBI double.
Calgary
got that run back in the bottom of the third frame
as Jorge Tang hit his second big fly of the season
for the 8-1 advantage.
Farina
walked to start the fifth inning for Yuma and after
a Toshinari double he scored on a Yosvany Almario
RBI single for the 8-2 game.
The
Vipers added two runs in the bottom of the seventh
as Carlos Duncan walked, Drader singled, Tang was
hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Arlis knocked
in two with a double for the 10-2 lead. Arlis ended
the day going three-for-four with three runs batted
in.
Another
run was scored an inning later as Brinkley doubled
and Mejia scored him with a RBI two base hit to give
Calgary a 11-2 advantage.
Greusel
(8-2) has now moved into a tie for top spot in the
league in victories. Jon Huizinga and Reggie Rivard
both tossed scoreless innings to close out the game.
Brandt (1-3) took the loss in lasting only one third
of an inning.
The
Vipers now head out on a six game in five day road
trip. Calgary will take on the Long Beach Armada
with games Tuesday August 12th, Wednesday August
13th, and Thursday August 14th all starting at 8:05
PM (MDT). Dane Renkert (0-2), Nate Melek (5-4), and
Joe Sergent (3-2) will make the starts in the three
games. The Snakes finish off the swing against the
Orange County Flyers Friday August 15th at 8:05 PM
(MDT) and play a double-header Saturday August 16th
starting at 6:05 PM (MDT).
Calgary
returns home Monday August 18th at 7:05 PM (MDT) to
open up a nine game home stand against Hall of Famer
Gary Carter and his first half South Division
Champion Orange County Flyers.
Tickets
can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). All games
can be heard live online at
www.calgaryvipers.com.
