Seals Stumble In Ninth-Inning Loss
Published on June 17, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release
Calgary, AB - Looking for follow up a come-from-behind win in the series opener on Monday night, the Victoria Seals took back to the field against the division-leading Calgary Vipers on Tuesday. With the home side turning to Hideki Nagasaka (2-0) on the mound, the Seals countered with former Seattle Mariners draft pick Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-1) on the hill.
With both starting pitchers in a groove early on, the game remained scoreless through the first four innings - the longest stretch without a run between the Vipers and Seals this season.
In the bottom of the fifth frame, it would be Calgary who struck first when Drew Miller followed up a single from Colin Moro with a two-run blast over the scoreboard in right field for a 2-0 lead. The Vipers would stretch their advantage to three before the inning was out on a single from Nelson Castro, his league-leading 30th RBI on the season.
Following a scoreless sixth frame, the Seals would again rally to tie the game. After Wilver Perez picked up a lead-off hit, former Viper Carlos Duncan hit his third home run over the left field fence to bring Victoria within one. After a walk to Jamar Hill and a base hit from Chris Van Rossum, the Seals knotted the game up with a sacrifice fly from first basemen Brett Flowers.
After Mike Reeves pitched his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh, and Javier Garcia came in to close out the eighth, the game went to the ninth inning still deadlocked at 3-3. When Victoria failed to cash in a single from Trevor Davidson, a lead-off walk from Garcia in the bottom of the inning would come back to haunt the Seals. After a wild pitch advanced Jorge Mejia to third base, a walk-off single from Mark Okano handed the Vipers a 4-3 win at Foothills Stadium.
Mac Suzuki was lights-out again in relief for Calgary, and picked up his first with of the season while Javier Garcia allowed just the one hit in taking his first loss of the year. Mark Okano finished 3-for-5 en route to the game winning RBI, while Chris Van Rossum and newly signed Trevor Davidson were both 2-for-4 in the losing effort for Victoria.
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Full boxscore: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=1832
The Vipers and Seals wrap up this three game set and six consecutive games in the home-and-home series tomorrow afternoon, a 1:30 p.m. (PT) start time. Fans can tune into the Seals' live broadcast with Mike Walker, online at www.victoriaseals.ca.
Victoria then returns home to take on the Edmonton Capitals, who are set to make their first trip to Royal Athletic Park this season. Game one goes Friday night, followed by matinee contests on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Game three is the Seals' Father's Day affair, presented by 98.5 The Ocean, when 100 lucky fans will receive a gift certificate to Painter's Lodge in Campbell River! Get your tickets online now at www.selectyourtickets.com, or by phone at (250) 220-7777.
Golden Baseball League Stories from June 17, 2009
- OC Makes It Nine-in-a Row with 8-3 Win - St. George RoadRunners
- Military Appreciation Night on Friday - Tucson Toros
- Flyers Announce Diamond Dig - Orange County Flyers
- Vipers Squander Lead in Ninth - Calgary Vipers
- Outlaws To Face Hideki Irabu - Chico Outlaws
- Toros Lose Game in Chico - Tucson Toros
- Outlaws Win To Begin Homestand - Chico Outlaws
- Seals Stumble In Ninth-Inning Loss - Victoria Seals
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