Castro Knocks in Seven

Published on June 14, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers got two home runs and seven runs batted in from Nelson Castro to defeat the Victoria Seals 14-6 before 2247 fans at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia. Castro went three-for-six on the night with a grand slam, a three run blast, and three runs scored in total. Castro now has 28 RBI this season which is a league high. With the victory the Snakes improve to 13-7 and have a game and a half lead on the Chico Outlaws for top spot in the Golden Baseball League's North Division.

Evan Greusel (3-1) threw five and a third innings for the victory giving up only three hits for two earned runs while striking out six. Mac Suzuki was excellent out of the bullpen going two and a third innings giving up only one hit, striking out three, and retiring seven in a row. Alan Webb pitched a scoreless ninth inning for Calgary and struck out three without giving up a hit. Eduardo Baeza (1-4) was saddled with the loss after giving up five runs in his five innings of work.

At the plate Jorge Mejia also had a solid game going three-for-six with a home run and two runs scored.

Once again the Vipers scored first in the top of the first as, on a 3-0 pitch, Jorge Mejia nailed his first home run of the season for a 1-0 lead.

Calgary doubled their lead in the second inning when with two outs Ivan Reyes doubled and Rick Guarno singled him home for the 2-0 advantage.

In the third inning the Snakes added to their lead when Nelson Castro singled, Mejia doubled, and Mark Okano hit a sacrifice fly. Clint Johnston followed with his first home run, a two-run no-doubter, to push the advantage to 5-0.

Victoria got onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame as Brett Flowers singled and Wilver Perez nailed a two-run long ball for the 5-2 score.

The Seals got another run in the home half of the fifth inning as Perez reached second base on a throwing error by third baseman Reyes and he scored on a Sergio Pedroza two-out run batted in base hit for the 5-3 score.

Calgary restored their five-run lead in the next half inning as Rick Guarno reached on a error by third baseman Carlos Duncan, Fehlandt Lentini walked, and Castro smacked his fourth big fly of the season, a three-run shot, for a 8-3 lead.

Right back responded Victoria in the bottom of the frame as they again made it a two run game when Flowers doubled, Bret Levier plated one with a base hit, Perez was hit by a pitch, and both Chris Van Rossum and Duncan cashed runs with singles for the 8-6 score.

In the top of the ninth inning the Vipers added insurance runs in a big way as Colin Moro walked, Miller doubled, Reyes was walked intentionally, and Guarno knocked in a pair with a double. After another intentional walk to Lentini, Castro hit the grand salami for six runs in the frame and a 14-6 advantage.

This three-game-series wraps up with the rubber-match on Sunday June 14th at 1:05 PM MDT with Reggie Rivard (2-1) taking on Travis Wade (0-2). Rivard has made two starts in a row after four appearances out of the bullpen. Wade will be making his fourth start of the year and in 14.2 inning he has walked only three and struck out ten for a 6.75 E.R.A.

Monday June 15th at 7:05 PM MDT the Snakes return home to Foothills Stadium to take on the Seals in the back-half of this home-and-home series. Tuesday June 16th at 7:05 PM MDT will be game two while on Wednesday June 16th at 2:35 PM the two teams will play a special matinee game with the Calgary Stampeders opening game to follow in the evening across the parking lot.

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 14, 2009


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