Late Rally Sinks Snakes

Published on July 1, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers gave up three runs in the seventh and eighth innings to lose 5-3 to the St. George RoadRunners at Bruce Hurst Field in St. George, Utah. Calgary led the game early 1-0 and then carried a 3-2 lead into the seventh when the RoadRunners rallied to take the lead for good. The Vipers missed out on some opportunities to score as they left the bases loaded in the fourth and sixth while leaving a runner at third in the seventh and having a man thrown out at the plate to end the fifth. With the loss Calgary drops to 20-12 and with a potential Edmonton win sees their lead in the Golden Baseball League's North Division drop to one game.

Eude Brito (3-0) won the game for St. George in throwing a scoreless seventh and eighth innings and allowing only one hit. Bartolome Fortunato (8) recorded the save with a two strikeout ninth inning while Mac Suzuki (2-2) took the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in the seventh. Dallas Mahan was solid for the Vipers out of the bullpen throwing a scoreless inning and two thirds where he didn't give up a hit or a walk while striking out one. Reggie Rivard started the game for Calgary and went four and a third innings and gave up two runs while striking out three.

Calgary opened the scoring in the top of the first inning as Fehlandt Lentini tripled and Nelson Castro drove in his team high 39th run of the season with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the fourth frame St. George took a 2-1 lead when Jose Rodriguez and Cody Nowlin singled, Henry Calderon walked to load the bases, Eric Pringle grounded out for a run, and Yosvany Almario knocked in another with a base hit.

The Vipers tied the game back up a half inning later as Rick Guarno singled, Dillon O'Krane executed a perfect hit and run for a base knock to push Guarno to third, and Castro drove in his 40th run with a groundout for a 2-2 score.

Calgary took the lead back in the top of the sixth as Joe Jiannetti singled, Colin Moro was hit by a pitch, and Drew Miller drove in a run with a base hit for a 3-2 lead.

St. George responded in the seventh inning as Angel Sanchez smoked his league leading 11th home run of the season to tie the game. A.J. Valentine followed with a single and with two outs Nowlin clutched up with a run batted in triple for a 4-3 advantage.

An insurance run was added in the home half of the eighth as Pringle singled, Almario was hit by a pitch, and Ruddy Yan knocked in a tally with a base hit for a 5-3 lead.

This first-place showdown continues against the south division leading RoadRunners on Thursday July 2nd at 7:05 PM MDT as Joe Sergent (3-2) will take to the mound against David Seccombe (3-1). Sergent is coming off his third victory of the season going six innings and allowing three earned runs while Seccombe is also coming off his third win going six innings and allowing only one run.

On Friday July 3rd at 7:05 PM MDT this four-game series concludes with Hideki Nagasaka (2-0) toeing the rubber against Mac Nelson (4-0). Nagasaka has made two appearances out of the bullpen since his last start on June 16th while Nelson picked up a no-decision his last time out going four and a third innings and giving up eight hits for five earned runs.

For two days on Saturday July 4th at 8:00 PM MDT, and a double-header on Sunday July 5th at 6:00 PM MDT the Vipers will take on the Yuma Scorpions.

Finally the road swing concludes against the Orange County Flyers on Monday July 6th, Tuesday July 7th, and Wednesday July 8th with all game starting at 8:05 PM MDT.

Calgary returns home to Foothills Stadium on Friday July 10th at 7:05 PM MDT when they host the Yuma Scorpions for a three-game series including games on Saturday July 11th at 5:05 PM MDT and Sunday July 12th at 1:35 PM MDT. On Friday it will be Mexican Night at the ballpark, on Saturday is Movie Night as Sandlot will be shown on the big screen after the game, and on Sunday it is Bark at the Park and Little League Day where fans can bring their dog to the game and all Little Leaguers get in for free at the Stadium.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from July 1, 2009


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