Back-to-Back Four-Run Frames Lift Vipers

Published on June 2, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers scored four runs in the fourth and fifth innings to carry them to a 12-5 victory over the Yuma Scorpions at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, Arizona. In total 16 hits were collected by the Snakes who did not score in the first three innings but then scored nine of their 12 tallies in the middle innings. With the victory the Vipers improve to 8-3 on the season and move back into a tie with the Chico Outlaws for first place in the Golden Baseball League's North Division.

Nelson Castro went four-for-five with a walk and scored a run while driving in two. Fehlandt Lentini went two-for-four with a walk and hit by pitch and scored three runs to increase his league lead to 18 runs scored. Mark Okano knocked in four runs on the evening while Colin Moro collected three hits including the Snakes' only home run of the contest.

Andrew Demott continued his great start to the season throwing a scoreless inning and a third out of the bullpen while striking out two. Mac Suzuki also did not allow a run in his two-thirds of an inning while striking out one. Alan Webb closed out the game for the Vipers by not allowing a run or walk in two innings while striking out one and allowing only one hit. Evan Greusel (1-1) tossed five innings and gave up five runs to record his first victory of the season. Yesid Salazar (0-1) picked up the loss in giving up five runs in four and a third innings.

Yuma opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning as Ismael Castro singled, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a Jose Mosquera run batted in single for the 1-0 advantage.

Calgary responded in the top of the fourth as Lentini singled, Castro also singled to move Lentini to third base, and on the throw to third Castro advanced into second. Lentini scored on a wild pitch to tie the game as Jorge Mejia struck out swinging but still reached first base on the same play. Mejia then stole second base, Okano drove in two with a base hit, Moro singled, and Yuki Matsumoto plated a run with a base knock for a 4-1 lead.

The Scorpions got a run back with two outs in the bottom of the frame as Carlos Arroyo doubled and Carlos Pupo cashed in a run with a single for the 4-2 score.

Lentini and Castro were back at it again for Calgary in the fifth inning as Lentini singled, stole both second and third base, and scored on a Castro single. After Castro was caught stealing, Mejia singled, stole second base, Drew Miller doubled him home, and Moro hit his second home run in as many games for a 8-2 advantage.

The scoring continued in the bottom of the frame as again with two outs Reynaldo Rodriguez singled, Carlos Villalobos smacked a two run long ball, Castro singled, and scored on an Arroyo RBI double for the 8-5 score. During the inning Matsumoto, the Calgary catcher, was hurt on an errand swing and had to leave the game.

In the top of the sixth Rob Recuenco singled, Lentini and Castro walked to load the bases, and Mejia hit a sacrifice fly to push the lead back to four runs at 9-5.

Calgary opened up the lead further in the eighth inning as Recuenco walked, Lentini was hit by a pitch, Castro singled in run, Mejia walked to load the bases, and Okano knocked in two more with a double for a 12-5 advantage.

With the injury tonight to Matsumoto, the Vipers have signed Buddy Morales to a 2009 contract. Morales, a standout in the 2007 playoffs against Fargo and Gary, will report to the Snakes in Yuma on Tuesday.

Game two of this series is Tuesday June 2nd at 8:00 PM MDT and it will feature Dallas Mahan (0-1) toeing the rubber against Carlos Ladeuth (0-0). Mahan has made one start and three appearances out of the bullpen this season for a total of eight and two-third innings and has eight strikeouts and a 4.26 earned run average. Ladeuth has made one appearance in relief so far this year.

On Wednesday June 3rd at 8:00 PM MDT the Vipers six game road trip concludes with Hideki Nagasaka (1-0) facing off against Wilton Noel on the mound. Nagasaka has made two starts this season and in 11 innings he has a 7.36 E.R.A. Noel will be making his first start after one appearance out of the bullpen.

The Snakes return to Calgary and Foothills Stadium Friday June 5th at 7:05 PM MDT to open a seven game in six day home stand against the 2008 Golden Baseball League Champion Orange County Flyers. It will be the first meeting between the two clubs since Orange County defeated Calgary in the fifth and deciding game of the Championship last season.

Saturday June 6th at 5:05 PM MDT the Vipers and Flyers will play a double-header with both games scheduled for seven innings.

This four games in three days series wraps up on Sunday June 7th at 1:35 PM MDT.

Calgary welcomes the St. George RoadRunners on Monday June 8th, Tuesday June 9th, and Wednesday June 10th all at 7:05 PM to wrap up the home stand with a three game series.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 403-277-2255 or by stopping in at the Vipers Ticket Office at 2255 Crowchild Trail N.W. All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from June 2, 2009


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