Unanswered Runs Snap Losing Streak

Published on August 12, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


Coming off a 11 day break the Calgary Vipers scored 11 unanswered runs after trailing early to defeat the Victoria Seals 14-7 at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia. After the two teams traded off the lead early the Vipers trailed 4-3 after four innings but scored 11 runs from the fifth to the eighth innings on 14 hits to go ahead for good. In total the Snakes collected 18 hits including three home runs to snap a season long four game losing skid. With the victory the Vipers are 12-7 in the second half for a two games lead and 38-20 overall for the best record in the Golden Baseball League.

At the plate several Vipers had big games led by Rick Guarno and Caonabo Cosme who both finished a triple shy of the cycle. Guarno went three-for-four with a home run and three runs both batted in and scored while Cosme had three hits including a long ball and three runs tallied. Fehlandt Lentini was three-for-five with four runs driven in and two scored while Colin Moro also drove in three and Nelson Castro collected three hits.

Todd Moser (1-0) threw a scoreless inning and a third with one strikeout to record his first victory. Brian Oliver was tremendous out of the bullpen as well as he retired all six batters he faced for two scoreless and hitless innings of work. Mac Suzuki pitched the ninth inning and didn't give up any earned runs while striking out two.

Wilver Perez led off the bottom of the first inning for Victoria with a home run for a 1-0 advantage.

Calgary responded in the next half inning as Moro and Cosme reached on singles, and Guarno smacked his eighth big fly of the season, a three-run shot, for a 3-1 lead.

Victoria got within one run at 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning as Josh Arhart and Brian Rios singled, Matt Kavanaugh walked to load the bases, and Brett Flowers drove in a tally with a base hit.

The Seals retook the lead at 4-3 in the fourth as Sergio Pedroza doubled, Jamar Hill singled, and Rios plated both runs with a base knock.

Right back the Snakes responded in the next frame as Lentini hit a leadoff home run, his ninth, to tie the game. Castro followed with a double, Jorge Mejia productively grounded out to move Castro to third base, and Moro gave his team back the lead at 5-4 with a run batted in groundout.

Cosme added to the Vipers' lead an inning later in the sixth with a leadoff homerun for his fourth of the year. Guarno followed with a singled, Drew Miller walked, Dillon O'Krane laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached on a throwing error to load the bases, Lentini cashed two with a base hit, Castro singled to reload the sacks, and Moro knocked in two more with a base knock for a five run frame and a 10-4 advantage.

Calgary continued the scoring in the seventh frame as Guarno doubled, Miller was hit by pitch for a league high 16th time, O'Krane singled to load the bases, Lentini and Castro plated runs with singles, and Mejia knocked in a third tally with a fielder's choice for a 13-4 lead.

Another run was added in the eighth as Cosme doubled and with two outs Miller singled him home for a double-digit lead at 14-4.

The Seals grabbed a run back in the bottom of the inning for a 14-5 score as Bret Levier singled and scored on a Hill RBI double.

In the bottom of the ninth Victoria scored two runs for a 14-7 final when Rios was hit by a pitch, Kavanaugh walked, and a fielding error allowed both runners to score.

This series continues Wednesday August 12th at 8:05 PM MDT and Thursday August 13th at 1:05 PM MDT with Joe Sergent (5-3, 3.55) and Dallas Mahan (2-3, 2.47) on the mound for the Vipers to conclude this three-game-set.

Calgary returns home Friday August 14th at 7:05 PM MDT, Saturday August 15th at 5:05 PM MDT, and Sunday August 16th at 1:35 PM MDT against the Victoria Seals for a three-game home stand. On Saturday it will be "Cannons Day" at the ballpark where the Vipers will be donning special throwback Calgary Cannons jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game. On Sunday it is "Japanese Day" at the stadium where fans will be able to compete in sumo suits during the game, make origami, and Japanese calligraphy will be shown on the Jumbotron. Following the game fans will be able to go out on the field to meet the three Japanese players and get autographs, play catch, and run the bases. There will also be a shuttle bus from Banff that will pickup and drop off after the game for $39.95 which also includes a Lower Bowl Ticket, Hot Dog, Soda, and Popcorn.

For the third straight year the Vipers have qualified for the playoffs and will host Game 3 of the North Division Championship Series on Friday September 4th at 7:05 PM MDT. If necessary Games 4 & 5 will be held on Saturday September 5th at 4:00 PM MDT and Sunday September 6th at 3:00 PM MDT also at Foothills Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 403-277-2255 or by stopping in at the Vipers Ticket Office at 2255 Crowchild Trail N.W. All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from August 12, 2009


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