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Snakes Squander Seven Run Lead

August 28, 2008 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers led by seven runs after six innings but it was not enough as they lost 8-7 to the Edmonton Cracker-Cats in ten innings at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The Snakes were up 7-0 heading into the seventh inning but two runs in that frame and five in the next tied the game for Edmonton who went on to win thanks to a homerun in the top of the tenth for eight unanswered runs. The loss spoiled a solid start by Phil Sobkow who went six innings and allowed two earned runs. Calgary drops to 18-21 on the second half of the season and 44-39 overall.

Calgary put up a run in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Darryl Brinkley being hit by a pitch, Jorge Mejia walking, Carlos Duncan hitting into a double play to advance Brinkley to third base, and the newest Viper and former major leaguer Kit Pellow coming through with a two-out run batted in single for the 1-0 lead.

The Snakes added to the lead in the next inning as Nelson Castro singled, Colin Moro walked, and Jorge Tang punched a RBI single out to left field to score Castro. Also scoring on the play was Moro after left fielder Carlos Arroyo's throw got away from third baseman Jose Morban which also enabled Tang to reach third where he scored on a Brinkley double-play groundout for the 4-0 advantage.

Duncan started off the third inning with a single and he scored on a Felix Jose RBI double to push the lead to five at 5-0.

For the fourth straight inning the Vipers scored when Brinkley hit his eighth homerun of the season to leadoff the frame for a 6-0 score.

In the bottom of the sixth Brinkley reached on an error by second baseman Jose Valdez and then stole two bases for 30 on the season to move him to third. Pellow picked up his second RBI in his debut with a fielder's choice to give Calgary a 7-0 lead.

Edmonton got onto the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning with back-to-back doubles from Chris Van Rossum and Valdez. After a Juan Infante single and a Jon Pasieka walk, Valdez scored on a Jonathan Castro RBI fielder's choice for the 7-2 score.

The Cracker-Cats tied up the game in the top of the eighth thanks to a five run frame for the 7-7 score. Morban, Joe Jiannetti, and Van Rossum all doubled for the first two runs of the inning, Valdez singled in another, Jon Pasieka doubled, and Marcus Nettles reached on a throwing error by shortstop Castro to score Valdez. Finally Pasieka scored on a wild pitch for the final run of the frame.

In the top of the tenth inning Edmonton took their first lead of the night when Castro hit a solo homerun for the 8-7 advantage.

Castro and Duncan both extended hitting streaks to 13 and 10 games respectively.

Jon Huizinga (4-3) took the loss in giving up a run in two and two third innings while Dave Humen (4-4) earned the win tossing four innings and only allowing one hit and no earned runs. Pete Sikaras (19) recorded the save with a scoreless bottom of the tenth.

On Thursday August 28th starting at 7:05 PM (MDT) it will be "Theo Fleury Retirement Night". The former Flames great and Olympic Gold Medalist has decided to hang up the cleats after making his pro baseball debut with the Vipers on August 9th. Fleury is expected to get at least one more at bat before his retirement. He is currently hitting .333 in his professional baseball career. "We want to make this a special night for Theo', said Vipers president Peter Young. "So we're going to retire his number 14 jersey, at least until somebody else asks for it." In reality the Vipers will be auctioning off Fleury's jersey for their children's charity Snakes and Batters.

It will also be awards night for the Vipers as they announce the team outstanding player awards for 2008 in their final regular season home game.

The 2008 North Division Finals start on Tuesday September 2nd at 7:05 PM (MDT) with the Snakes travelling north to take on the Edmonton Cracker-Cats. Game 2 of the playoffs will be Wednesday September 3rd at 7:05 PM (MDT).

Friday September 5th at 7:05 PM (MDT) the Vipers will host Game 3 of the Golden Baseball League's North Division Finals. Games 4 & 5 will also be played at Foothills Stadium on Saturday September 6th at 5:05 PM (MDT) and Sunday September 7th at 1:35 PM (MDT) if necessary.

Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). 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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