Snakes Rally From Five Down

Published on June 21, 2008 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers fell behind early but used another strong performance from their bullpen to defeat the Reno Silver Sox 12-8 at Peccole Park in Reno, Nevada. The Vipers trailed 7-2 after four innings but Sean Kramer and Jon Huizinga were able to hold the Silver Sox in check over the final four innings to allow the offence to take the lead. Kramer went two scoreless innings to pick up his first victory of the season while Huizinga recorded his first save of the year in tossing the final two frames. Now over half way through the first half of the GBL season the Snakes sit at a 16-7 record.

Reno opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning starting with back-to-back infield singles from Ryan Crespi and Gary Harris. After a Carlos Madrid sacrifice bunt, John Hattig made it 1-0 with a run batted in groundout.

Calgary responded in the next half inning with a Travis Drader infield single, Patrick Arlis double and Jorge Tang RBI infield single to tie the game. Jorge Mejia gave his team the lead at 2-1 with a sacrifice fly.

Right back came the Silver Sox in the bottom of the inning with a Steven Alexander double and a D.J. Dixon two run homerun to retake the lead. Crespi made it back-to-back long balls for the 4-2 advantage.

Hattig hit Reno's third homerun of the night in the bottom of the third inning to increase the lead to 5-2.

The lead was stretched an inning later with a Brett Flowers double, Andre Alvarado sacrifice bunt, and a Dixon RBI base hit for a run. Following a Crespi single, Harris reached on a fielder's choice and promptly stole second base with catcher Arlis' throw getting away down to second base and allowing Dixon to score for the 7-2 lead.

Back climbed the Snakes into the game in the top of the fifth inning with Nelson Castro's third homerun of the season. Drew Miller followed by doubling and Jose Morban and Darryl Brinkley both walked to load the bases. Felix Jose cashed a run with a sacrifice fly and Patrick Arlis smoked a two run single to close the deficit to one run at 7-6.

The game became tied an inning later as Castro singled, moved to third base on a throwing error, and scored on a Morban run batted in.

Calgary took the lead in the top of the seventh inning on Drader's second long ball of the season. Arlis followed with a double and scored on a Mejia RBI base hit for the 9-7 advantage.

Insurance runs were scored in the top of the ninth inning as the Vipers loaded the bases with a Drader walk, Arlis infield single, and Mejia base hit. Castro plated a run with a base hit and Miller knocked in two with a double for the 12-7 lead.

Dixon hit his second homerun of the game in the bottom of the inning to cap the scoring at 12-8.

Mejia and Miller extended their hitting streaks to 13 and 12 games respectively while also both reaching base for the 23rd game consecutively to start the season.

This series continues with a double-header Saturday June 21st starting at 6:05 PM (MDT) to wrap up the three game series. Calgary's Reggie Rivard (1-0) will face Steve Russell (2-2) in the first game and new Snake Ryan Schurman (0-0) starts game two against Jeremy Flanagan (0-1). Both games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.

Calgary returns home Tuesday June 24th to open up a six day home stand against the Reno Silver Sox and the Long Beach Armada. Both teams are making their first appearance at Foothills Stadium. Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255).

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Golden Baseball League Stories from June 21, 2008


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