Castro Carries Vipers to Victory

Published on July 19, 2007 under Northern League (NL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers won on consecutive nights to spilt a four game series with a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. Calgary shortstop Nelson Castro led the way with a three for four night and two runs scored, with the last one being the winning run of the game. He was also fabulous in the field of play making three outstanding defensive plays.

In the second inning the Vipers once again opened the scoring with Kyle Nichols doubling and moving to third on a wild pitch. With two outs rookie Jorge Tang delivered a broken bat RBI single to left field for the 1-0 lead.

Chris Latham on the first pitch of the sixth inning hit a leadoff homerun to tie the game. Walter Young and Antoin Gray followed with singles and Calgary starter Jordy Alexander, with out, left the game. Curtis Moenter made his first Vipers appearance and after a strikeout for the second out, he gave up a two run triple to Luis Alen to give Winnipeg their first lead of the game at 3-1.

Right back came the Snakes in the bottom of the inning though with Castro's second hit of the night. After a two out walk to Mitch Evans, Manabu Kuramochi clutched up and hit a two run double to tie the game at three.

In the top of the seventh with runners at the corners and one out Geoff Freeborn came into the game to face Walter Young. With the runner at first going Young hit a groundball towards second base that Castro was able to field, drag his foot over second base for the first out and complete the double play by throwing to first while running towards left field to end the inning.

An inning later Castro once again turned a six-to-three double play to end the frame.

The Vipers took the lead in the eighth inning as Castro picked up his third hit of the game with a one out double. After moving to third on a wild pitch and a walk to Jorge Tang, Evans strolled to the plate. The Calgary catcher hit a groundball to third and in attempting the turn a double play Antoin Gray was slid into by Tang at second base to break it up and force the throw high to first base, allowing Castro to score the go ahead run at 4-3.

Finally in the top of the ninth Luis Alen led off and hit a shallow fly ball that look destined to drop into left field but Castro sprinted out and made a running, over-the-shoulder, back handed catch for the out. Later in the inning with two outs and Fehlandt Lentini at second, Ryan Olson picked up his fifth save of the year by getting a ground ball. Tom Lyons picked up his second win of the season going an inning and two thirds without giving up any runs.

With Drew Miller getting hit by pitch in the third inning he extended his league high on base streak to 35 games. Duncan with a single extended his on base streak to 32 games.

The Vipers now welcome the Edmonton Cracker-Cats to town for Paint the Park Pink. On all three weekend games the team will be wearing special pink jerseys and after every game will auction them off to raise money for the Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation. The games go Friday at 7:05 PM (MDT) with Evan Greusel starting for Calgary against Dorian Castro. Saturday and Sunday the series continues at 1:35 PM (MDT). Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). The games can be heard live online at http://www.am770chqr.com/station/vipers_player.cfm.

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Northern League Stories from July 19, 2007


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