Sports stats



Castro Sparks Vipers to Victory

August 13, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers scored two runs in four separate innings on their way to a 10-7 victory over the Victoria Seals at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia. Nelson Castro had a big night at the plate going four-for-five with four runs scored, three batted in, and a home run. Castro improved his league leading batting average to .415 on the season. Overall the Vipers collected 13 hits and also stole five bases. With the victory the Vipers are 13-7 in the second half for a three games lead and 39-20 overall for the best record in the Golden Baseball League.

Andrew DeMott was solid out of the bullpen for the Vipers throwing an inning and two-thirds without giving up a hit or a run. Mac Suzuki (6) recorded the save in tossing a scoreless ninth inning while striking out three. Joe Sergent (6-3) picked up the win in throwing five innings while giving up five runs and striking out four. Eduardo Baeza (3-9) took the loss in giving up seven runs in four and two-third innings.

Calgary picked up right where they left off last night in the top of the first inning as Fehlandt Lentini was hit by a pitch, stole second for a league high 28th time and scored on a Castro run batted in double. Jorge Mejia followed with a base hit, and Colin Moro knocked in Castro with a fielder's choice for a 2-0 advantage.

Victoria answered right back in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 2-2 as Sergio Pedroza doubled and Jamar Hill hit his league best 16th home run of the season.

Right back responded the Vipers with a two-run homer of their own in the next half inning as Drew Miller singled and with two outs Castro lined his ninth long ball of the season for a 4-2 lead.

The Snakes added a run to the lead in the top of the fourth as Rick Guarno was hit by a pitch, stole second base for his first of the season, Lentini reached on an error, and Guarno scored on a wild pitch for a 5-2 advantage.

The Seals got that tally right back as Josh Arhart hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to make the score 5-3.

In the visitor's half of the fifth Calgary increased their lead to 7-3 as Moro singled, Raul Gonzalez walked, Caonabo Cosme recorded a base hit to load the bases, and with two outs and two strikes Miller clutched up with a two-run base knock.

Once again Victoria matched the total put up by the Vipers in the bottom of the respective inning as Bret Levier singled, Billy Krause walked, Wilver Perez plated a run with a double, and Pedroza hit a sacrifice fly for a 7-5 game.

Calgary grabbed a run back in the sixth for a 8-5 lead as Castro singled, stole second base, and scored on a Mejia RBI double.

Two more runs were added to the Snakes lead in the top of the eighth frame as Lentini doubled, Castro singled, Moro was intentionally walked to load the bases, Gonzalez also walked for a RBI, and Cosme cashed another with a sacrifice fly for a 10-5 advantage.

For the fourth time in the game the Seals answered the runs put up by Calgary in the bottom of the inning as with two outs Arhart walked and Brian Rios hit a two-strike home run for a 10-7 score.

This series finishes on Thursday August 13th at 1:05 PM MDT with Dallas Mahan (2-3, 2.47) on the mound for the Vipers to conclude the three-game-set.

Calgary returns home Friday August 14th at 7:05 PM MDT, Saturday August 15th at 5:05 PM MDT, and Sunday August 16th at 1:35 PM MDT against the Victoria Seals for a three-game home stand. On Saturday it will be "Cannons Day" at the ballpark where the Vipers will be donning special throwback Calgary Cannons jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game. On Sunday it is "Japanese Day" at the stadium where fans will be able to compete in sumo suits during the game, make origami, and Japanese calligraphy will be shown on the Jumbotron. Following the game fans will be able to go out on the field to meet the three Japanese players and get autographs, play catch, and run the bases.

For the third straight year the Vipers have qualified for the playoffs and will host Game 3 of the North Division Championship Series on Friday September 4th at 7:05 PM MDT. If necessary Games 4 & 5 will be held on Saturday September 5th at 4:00 PM MDT and Sunday September 6th at 3:00 PM MDT also at Foothills Stadium.

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.

• Discuss this story on the Golden Baseball League message board...

Golden Baseball League Stories from August 13, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Calgary Vipers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central