RoadRunners Rally Back For Victory

Published on June 9, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


After giving up five runs from the fifth to eighth innings the Calgary Vipers were defeated 7-6 by the St. George RoadRunners at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The Snakes led in the game 4-2 after four innings but the steady scoring of the RoadRunners provided the difference in the game. With the loss Calgary drops to 11-6 but remain in first place in the Golden Baseball League's North Division.

Eric Van Slyke (2-1) picked up the win for St. George in throwing six innings and allowing only two earned runs while striking out eight. Former Viper Bartolome Fortunato (4) recorded the save with leaving the tying run at third base in the eighth inning and tossing a three-up, three-down ninth frame. Calgary starter Erik Dessau was saddled with a no-decision going five innings and giving up three earned runs while not walking a batter and sitting down three. Alan Webb (0-1) took the loss in the game after giving up the go-ahead home run in the seventh inning. Dallas Mahan pitched a scoreless inning and two-thirds for the Vipers without giving up a run.

At the plate Mark Okano went three-for-five for Calgary with two runs batted in. For St. George Angel Sanchez led the way going three-for-four, with an intentional walk and three runs batted in.

St. George started the scoring in the top of the first inning as Ruddy Yan singled, stole second base, and scored on a Angel Sanchez run batted in base hit for the 1-0 lead.

Calgary answered right back in the bottom of the frame as Fehlandt Lentini reached on a throwing error by shortstop Brad Netzel and singles from Nelson Castro and Jorge Mejia loaded the bases. Cleanup hitter Mark Okano knocked in two runs with a double and a third run also scored on the play for a 3-1 lead when right fielder Yosvany Almario committed a throwing error.

The RoadRunners got a run back in the third inning when Ryan Stevenson struck out but reached on a passed ball and Sanchez doubled him in for the 3-2 score.

Drew Miller smashed his fifth long ball of the season in the bottom of the fourth to give Calgary back a two-run lead at 4-2.

St. George once again got within one run at 4-3 in the visitor's half of the fifth inning as Yan singled and scored on another Sanchez RBI double.

In the top of the sixth the RoadRunners tied the game as Cody Nowlin doubled and scored on a Brad Netzel RBI single for the 4-4 score.

An inning later the St. George scoring continued as they took a 5-4 lead with a solo home run from Almario.

The RoadRunners added to their lead in the eighth inning as Juan Serrano singled, Stevenson and Sanchez walked to load the bases, and A.J. Valentine plated two with a base knock for the 7-4 advantage.

Calgary grabbed those two runs back in the bottom half of the frame as Rick Guarno was hit by a pitch, Colin Moro singled, and both Lentini and Castro recorded RBI base hits for the 7-6 score.

This three-game-series wraps up with the rubber-match on Wednesday June 10th at 7:05 PM MDT as the Vipers also close up a five-games-in-four-days home stand with ViperPod Speakers Giveaway Night. Hideki Nagasaka (1-0) toes the rubber against Monte Mansfield (1-0) with Nagasaka coming off two no-decisions while Mansfield has made two starts and has a 7.45 E.R.A.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from June 9, 2009


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