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Four Runs in Ninth Complete Another Comeback

August 19, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


For the third straight night the Calgary Vipers rallied late to defeat the Edmonton Capitals 8-7 before 3131 fans at Telus Field in Edmonton, Alberta. Trailing 4-1 after five innings the Vipers tied the game in the seventh only to have the Capitals go back ahead in the bottom of the inning. However down by two runs in the top of the ninth inning the Snakes scored four runs with two outs and hung on to win their fourth straight game. Nelson Castro came up huge for the Vipers in the ninth inning as with two outs and the bases loaded the shortstop cleared the sacks to give his team the lead for good. Castro ended the game two-for-four with four runs batted in and two scored. With the victory the Snakes are 19-8 in the second half and six and a half games ahead of the Capitals for first place in the North Division. Overall the Vipers are 24 games above .500 at 45-21 for the top mark in the Golden Baseball League.

Pete Sikaras (2-0) picked up his second win in three nights as he threw a scoreless and hitless eighth inning. Mac Suzuki (10) recorded his third save in as many nights with leaving the tying run 90 feet away in the ninth inning. Andrew DeMott appeared out of the bullpen for Calgary and struck out the one batter he faced. Making his first start as a Viper Isaac Hess pitched into the seventh inning going six and two-third innings and giving up six runs while striking out five. Jason Pearson (1-4) took the loss for Edmonton in giving up four runs in the one inning he pitched.

Caonabo Cosme also had a strong night at the plate going two-for-four with a game tying two-run homer in the seventh inning.

Calgary opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning for a 1-0 lead as Nelson Castro singled, stole second base, and scored when Kit Pellow reached on a two-out error.

After being retired nine-up, nine-down to start the game the Capitals bats came alive in the fourth as Jorge Cortes and Mark Okano hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game, Joey Gomes walked, Chad Ehrsnberger drove in two with two-base hit, and Ehrnsberger scored on a wild pitch for a 4-1 advantage.

The Vipers got a run back in the top of the sixth frame for a 4-2 score as Fehlandt Lentini doubled for a league high 27th time, moved to third base on a throwing error, and scored on a Castro run batted in sacrifice fly.

For the third straight night the Snakes tied the game in the top of the seventh inning as Rick Guarno singled and Caonabo Cosme smacked a two-run shot, his fifth of the year, for a 4-4 game.

Right back responded Edmonton in the bottom of the frame as Matt Ceriani walked and with two outs Cortes hit a two-run homer of his own for a 6-4 lead.

In the top of the ninth Guarno led off with a single, pinch-hitting Raul Gonzalez doubled, and Lentini was intentionally walked for a third straight night to load the bases. With two outs and a 0-1 count Castro came through huge with a bases clearing three-run triple to pull his team from down two runs to up one. Sergio Pedroza capped the inning with a key RBI double for a 8-6 advantage.

The Capitals threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning as Aaron Hornostaj singled, Ceriani walked, Mitch Graham laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Cortes brought his team within one run with a groundout when he was robbed of a base hit by Calgary second baseman Jorge Mejia. Edmonton left the potential tying run at third base when Mark Okano struck out to end the game.

This four-game-series with the Capitals concludes on Thursday August 20th at 12:00 PM with Joe Sergent (6-3, 3.78) on the mound for Calgary as they attempt to sweep Edmonton.

The Snakes then travel to Victoria for a three game series against the Seals on Friday August 21st, Saturday August 22nd both at 8:05 PM MDT, and Sunday August 23rd at 2:35 PM MDT.

Calgary returns home to Foothills Stadium on Tuesday August 25th, Wednesday August 26th, and Thursday August 27th all at 7:05 PM MDT for their final regular season home games of the season with the Edmonton Capitals in town. Tuesday will be "Toque Night" where Vipers' toques will be handed out at the game while on Wednesday it will be "Grey Eagle Casino Night" at the ballpark.

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.

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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.

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