Vipers snap losing streak

Published on June 1, 2006 under Northern League (NL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


Strong pitching and an offensive outburst snapped an eight-game losing streak and put the Calgary Vipers back in the win column with an 11-2 victory Thursday afternoon in Edmonton.

Starting pitcher Javier Ortiz (1-1) was dominant in picking up his first win of the season, pitching into the ninth inning, only allowing one run on four hits. Ortiz struck out three and didn't walk a single batter on 89 pitches to earn the win. Jeff Little (1-2) took the loss for Edmonton.

The Vipers had at least one hit in every inning for a total of 18 in the game and scored runs in six different innings on their way to the win. Aaron McEachran and Nelson Castro both went deep for the Vipers who now move to 4-9 on the year.

Calgary started things off in the top of the first with a McEachran RBI single that scored Castro to make it 1-0. They added another in the second when Drew Miller walked to get on base, was moved to second on an Adam Shorsher single, and moved to third on a Yosvany Almario sacrifice before a wild pitch allowed him to score and make it 2-0.

Miller scored again in the top of the fourth on an Almario RBI single. Miller picked up his first stolen base of the season to get into scoring position.

Still in the fourth, Castro's first homerun as a Viper extended the lead to 5-0 when he drilled a two-run shot off Little with Almario on base. Castro was 3-5 on the day with three runs scored and two RBIs.

Calgary put two more runs up in the fifth on a Shorsher double that scored both McEachran and Carlos Duncan.

The lead went to 9-0 in the top of the eighth on Aaron McEachran's second homerun of the year, a two-run bomb off reliever Brad Cherry. The Vipers added two more in the ninth when Castro, Manabu Kuramochi and Josh Carter hit three straight doubles to make it 11-0.

Edmonton was able to put two runs up in the bottom of the ninth after a potential game-ending double play ball got through the legs of shortstop Sam Rosario and kept the inning alive.

Jon Huizinga took over for Ortiz with one out in the ninth to wrap up the nine-run victory.

With the exception of Miller and Duncan, who were held hitless in the game, every other Viper had at least two hits in the contest.

The Vipers return home for a weekend series against the Joliet JackHammers beginning Friday night at 7:05 PM. The new Cardel Berm will be open beginning Friday night down the right-field line at Foothills Stadium. Fans are invited to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the game from the Cardel Berm.

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Northern League Stories from June 1, 2006


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