EARLY BIG INNINGS SINK SNAKES

The Calgary Vipers gave up six runs in the second inning and five more in the third in losing 12-4 to the Orange County Flyers at Goodwin Field in Fullerton, California. This game was the first time the two first half champions met on the season and both teams came in tied for the best overall record in the Golden Baseball League. With the loss in the first half of the double-header the Vipers have now dropped three consecutive games and see their second half record drop to 8-5.

Orange County put the game away early in the bottom of the second inning with six runs for a 6-0 advantage. Jeff LaRue, Buddy Morales, and Josh Arhart loaded the bases with singles and Gabe Mayorga cleared the sacks with a grandslam. Jeff Van Houten followed with a single and Jermy Acey hit a two run shot for the second homerun of the inning.

Back at it were the Flyers in the bottom of the third with a leadoff long ball off the bat of LaRue. Once again Orange County loaded the bases with a Fernando Pacheco single, Morales reaching on an error by shortstop Nelson Castro, and a Arhart base hit. Mayorga cashed a run with a bases loaded walk, Travon Jackson hit a sacrifice fly for another, and Patrick Breen made the score 11-0 with a two run base knock.

In the top of the fourth inning Calgary grabbed two runs back with a Felix Jose single and Castro's seventh homerun of the season.

An inning later Jorge Mejia doubled and Carlos Duncan smacked his third big fly of the year to cut the score down to 11-4.

That was as close as the Vipers would get as a run was taken back by the Flyers in the bottom of the fifth with a Jackson single, Van Houten walk, Acey fly ball to move Jackson to third base, and a Breen sacrifice fly for the 12-4 lead.

Dane Renkert (0-1) took the loss in his first appearance as a Snake lasting only two innings and giving up ten hits for eight earned runs.

In the back half of the twin bill Phil Sobkow (1-2) will make the start for Calgary.

After a day off the two teams will play another doubleheader on Wednesday, July 30th starting at 6:05 PM (MDT) to conclude the four game series.

The Vipers have a big weekend planned against their arch-rival Edmonton Cracker-Cats when they return to Foothills Stadium on August, 1st at 7:05 PM (MDT). Friday night will be Vipers Key Chain Giveway Night with the first 1500 fans receiving that gift. Saturday the Vipers and Calgary Stampeders are teaming up for a baseball-football doubleheader. The baseball game begins at 2:30 PM (MDT) and starting at 4.00 PM (MDT) football fans will receive free admission by presenting their Stamps-Riders ticket. Vipers fans will be allowed to park free on Vipers property if they chose to move their vehicles from the McMahon Stadium lot starting at 4:00 PM (MDT).

Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.