Vipers get early lead, hold on to win
August 23, 2006 - Northern League (NL)
Calgary Vipers News Release
With two outs in the top of the first inning, the Calgary Vipers strung together four straight hits and jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on their way to handing the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks a 4-2 loss on Wednesday night.
Carlos Duncan capped the inning with a two-run double as the Vipers evened their current series in Fargo at one game apiece. Jason Colson also picked up an RBI in the frame to get the scoring started.
Calgary starter Tom Lyons (1-6) earned his first win of the season with a strong seven inning performance that saw the right-hander allow just two runs on seven hits while striking out three RedHawks batters.
Todd George (8-4) took the loss for Fargo after surrendering three runs on eight hits in just under seven innings of work.
After Darryl Brinkley and Nelson Castro hit into a pair of groundouts to start the game, the next four Vipers batters would reach base and three of them would come in to score to put Calgary on top.
Aaron McEachran and Sharnol Adriana got things started with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second. Colson then cashed in McEachran with the first run of the game on an RBI single to right-center field.
Duncan then made it 3-0 by pulling an offering from George into left-center field for a two-run double that scored both Adriana and Colson.
The score remained 3-0 until the bottom of the fourth when the RedHawks cut into the lead with a pair of runs. With one out in the inning and the bases loaded, Craig Ringe hit a potential double-play ball to Nelson Castro at short that could have ended the inning. Castro threw the ball to Duncan at second base to start the play but Duncan misfired on his throw to first, tossing the ball high and out of play allowing two RedHawks to score and make it 3-2.
The two-run fourth would be the only blemish on the night for the Vipers though as the three-run first inning would hold up the rest of the way.
Drew Miller provided a cushion in the top of the ninth when he scored on a passed ball after reaching base on a double and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Rogers.
Jon Huizinga picked up one strikeout in the bottom of the ninth on route to his tenth save of the season.
The Vipers (17-20) and RedHawks (25-12) will play the rubber match of the series on Thursday night in Fargo, ND with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM (MDT). Ryan Jamison (0-2, 4.65) is expected to get the start for Calgary.
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Northern League Stories from August 23, 2006
- JackHammers lose 4-2 in Edmonton; remain in first place by a half game - Joliet JackHammers
- RailCats lose to Winnipeg, remain one half game out of first place - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Henry throws complete game four hitter in win - Edmonton Capitals
- Vipers get early lead, hold on to win - Calgary Vipers
- T-Bones set new attendance mark - Kansas City Monarchs
- Sosebee, Hurba boost T-Bones offense in 9-4 victory - Kansas City Monarchs
- Seventh inning slam dooms Flyers, losing streak now at 11 - Schaumburg Flyers
- Early deficit costs Fargo-Moorhead game - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Goldeyes looking to break some records this weekend - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RedHawks take down Vipers, 7-1 - Calgary Vipers
- JackHammers split doubleheader in Edmonton Tuesday - Joliet JackHammers
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