The
Calgary Vipers gave up two runs in the bottom of
the ninth inning to lose 6-5 to the Long Beach
Armada at Blair Field in Long Beach Armada. The
defeat spoiled a solid start by Calgary's Nate
Melek who tossed seven innings and struck out a
season high nine batters while walking two and
giving up only six hits for three earned
runs. The Armada continue to dominate the Vipers
this season as they have won ten of the 14
meetings on the season between the two clubs.
With the loss the Snakes slide back to .500 in
the second half at 14-14.
The
Armada took the early lead in the bottom of the
first inning as Julian Williams walked, moved up
to third when Cleatus Davidson reached on a
fielding error by Jorge Mejia, and scored on a
wild pitch. Norm Hutchins made it a 2-0 lead
with a run batted in single to score Davidson.
Calgary cut the lead in half in the next half
inning with a Mejia base on balls, stolen second
base, and a two out Travis Drader RBI base hit
for the 2-1 score.
The
Vipers tied the game at two in the top of the
third frame when Nelson Castro singled, stole
second, and scored on a two out Carlos Duncan
RBI single.
Right
back came Long Beach in the bottom of the inning
with a Williams solo homerun for the 3-2
advantage.
The
lead went back to two runs at 4-2 in the bottom
of the fourth on a Ryan Lehr double and a Brett
Flowers RBI base knock.
In
the top of the fifth inning Patrick Arlis and
Castro walked and Colin Moro laid down a perfect
bunt for a base hit. Armada pitcher Nick
Bierbrodt tried to throw Moro out at first base
but missed his mark with a throwing error to
allow both Arlis and Castro to score and tie the
game at four. Darryl Brinkley gave the Snakes
their first lead with a RBI groundout to plate
Moro for the 5-4 score.
For
the second straight night Long Beach won the
game in the bottom of the ninth inning as Lehr
and Dan Trumble singled and David Ramirez hit a
game winning two run double for the 6-5 final.
This
series concludes Thursday August 14th starting
at 8:05 PM (MDT) with Joe Sergent (3-2) starting
on the mound. The Snakes finish off this road
trip against the Orange County Flyers Friday
August 15th at 8:05 PM (MDT) and Saturday August
16th with a double-header 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.
