Vipers lose big at hands of Scorpions

June 6, 2008 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers broke their franchise record for runs allowed in a 21-7 thrashing at the hands of the Yuma Scorpions at Sun Desert Stadium in Yuma, Arizona. A huge six run bottom of the third inning along with another five tallies in the bottom of the fourth and sixth made up the majority of the damage against the Vipers. The Snakes have now given up 57 runs in their last three games.

Jorge Mejia got the Vipers off to a good start in the top of the first inning with his first homerun of the season for the 1-0 lead.

Right back came the Scorpions in the bottom of the inning with Henry Calderon singling, Rich Janeway walking, Maikel Jova reaching on a fielder's choice, and Jeremy Cleveland doubling for two runs batted in and the lead at 2-1.

A possible turning point in the game happened in the top of the third inning with the Vipers loading the bases with one out but Drew Miller hit into an inning ending double play to end the frame scoreless.

Yuma took that momentum into the bottom of the inning and exploded for six runs. A.J. Valentine was hit by pitch, Calderon reached on a error by third baseman Travis Drader, and Rich Janeway walked to load the bases. Jova followed with a two run single and Cleveland blasted a three run homerun to clear the bases. Former Viper Yosvany Almario doubled and scored on a Pete Farina RBI base hit for the 8-1 advantage.

The Snakes got a lone run back in the top of the fourth inning when Jose Morban struck out but reached first base on a dropped third strike. Nelson Castro singled and Colin Moro picked up a RBI base hit to score Morban.

Calderon reached on another error by Drader to start off the bottom of the inning and was followed by a Jova single and a Cleveland two run triple. Almario plated Cleveland with a base hit, Hector Bernal tripled for a run batted in, and Farina brought in another run with a groundout for the 13-2 lead.

Calgary made a game of it in the top of the sixth inning with a Castro double and a Felix Jose RBI single to get the scoring started. Patrick Arlis followed and reached on a fielder's choice, Moro reached on a fielding error by the shortstop and Drader plated Arlis with a RBI single. Moro scored when Brinkley reached on an error by the third baseman, Mejia doubled for a run batted in, and Drew Miller cashed a run with a base hit to cut the lead to 13-7.

That five runs was matched though in the bottom of the inning by the Scorpions when Jova and Cleveland reached base to start the inning and Almario drove in a run with a single. Farina blasted a three run homerun and Valentine hit a solo shot for the 18-7 advantage.

Two more runs were added in the bottom of the seventh inning with Janeway and Jova singles, and a Bernal two run triple for the 20-7 score.

The franchise record breaking run against was scored in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a Valentine double, Janeway single, and Jova RBI base hit for the 21-7 final.

Calgary starter Dallas Mahan (2-1) took his first loss while Mike Esposito (2-0) recorded the victory.

Saturday the Snakes send Jordy Alexander (1-1) to the mound at 8:00 PM (MDT). Sunday at 7:00 PM (MDT) the three game series will wrap up with Golden Baseball League Pitcher of the Week Evan Greusel (2-0) starting. All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.

Two teams never before seen in Calgary will then head in for the next home stand. The St. George Roadrunners with former Chicago White Sox infielder Liu Rodriguez will be here June 11, 12 and 13 with all games starting at 7:05 PM (MDT). Then the defending champion Chico Outlaws hit town. Friday, June 13th it's an afternoon "Skip out of Work" special so fans can watch both the Vipers at 2:35 PM (MDT) and then the Stamps exhibition game. On Saturday June 14th at 5:05 PM (MDT) it's Ripley's Believe It or Not Day at Foothills Stadium. A full contingent from the famous tourist attraction will be in Calgary to take possession of the 10 bats acquired in the Odom trade and to present the check to the Vipers Children's Charity. On Sunday, June 15th at 1:35 PM (MDT) it's the Vipers Father's Day Extravaganza. Hall of Famer Gary Carter will be the Vipers special guest to throw out the first pitch and sign autographs. The Calgary Minor Softball Association will be holding their Opening ceremonies following the game and will be out in full force. The Vipers will be teaming with PharmaChoice Drug Stores and the Calgary Prostate Society to raise awareness for prostate cancer treatments. And the Vipers will be helping to launch the new Warner Brothers movie "Get Smart" with Agent 99 and Maxwell Smart making a special appearance. Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255).



Golden Baseball League Stories from June 6, 2008


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