SNAKES DROP THIRD STRAIGHT
The Calgary Vipers gave up 18 hits en route to being thumped 12-5 by the Edmonton Cracker-Cats at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The Cracker-Cats also got a solid pitching performance from starter Ricardo Rodriguez who tossed seven innings and gave up three runs while not walking a batter for the victory. With the loss Calgary drops to 10-8 on the second half of the season and they are a game and a half back of Edmonton for first place in the Golden Baseball League's North Division.
Edmonton jumped all over the scoreboard in the top of the first inning starting with a Marcus Nettles infield single and after a stolen base he scored on a Carlos Arroyo run batted in double. With two outs and after Joe Jiannetti was hit by a pitch Chris Van Rossum knocked in two with a double. Orlando Miller followed with a RBI double for the third two bagger of the frame and Dan Luyben capped off the inning at 5-0 with a RBI single.
Another run was added in the top of the fifth as Nettles singled, stole second base, and scored on a Ruddy Yan RBI base hit for the 6-0 advantage.
It became a 7-0 game in the top of the sixth inning on a Miller single, Nettles walk, and Yan RBI base knock.
Calgary got into the game in the bottom of the inning with singles from Colin Moro and Darryl Brinkley and a RBI double off the bat of Jorge Mejia. With two outs Nelson Castro clutched up and delivered a two run base hit to cut the score down to 7-3.
Right back came the Cracker-Cats to retake a seven run lead with three of their own runs in the top of the seventh frame. Jiannetti walked and Morban smacked a two run homerun to start the inning. Singles from Van Rossum and Miller followed by a Nettles double plated a run for the 10-3 lead.
Two more runs were added in the top of the eighth inning when Arroyo reached on an error by first baseman Carlos Duncan, Jiannetti doubled, Morban cashed a run with a groundout, and Van Rossum made the score 12-3 with a sacrifice fly.
The Snakes finished off the scoring in the game at 12-5 in the bottom of the inning with Mejia and Duncan walks, a RBI single from Castro, and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Drew Miller.
Phil Sobkow (1-3) took the loss in the game going five innings and giving up eight hits for six runs.
Sunday August 3rd the three game series concludes at 1:35 PM (MDT) as Calgary tries to avoid a sweep with Dallas Mahan (3-1) toeing the rubber.
After an off day the Snakes welcome the Long Beach Armada to Foothills Stadium for a three game series Tuesday, August 5th, Wednesday, August 6th, and Thursday, August 7th with all games starting at 7:05 PM (MDT).
Friday, August 8th at 7:05 PM (MDT) it is Foam Finger Giveaway night at the ballpark as Calgary takes on the Yuma Scorpions. Saturday, August 9th at 5:05 PM (MDT) the teams will play a double-header and Sunday, August 10th at 1:35 PM (MDT) the four game series and home stand concludes.
Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.
