MEJIA'S BAT GUIDES VIPERS TO VICTORY
The Calgary Vipers pounded out 17 hits in a 12-9 victory over the Edmonton Cracker-Cats at Telus Field in Edmonton, Alberta. Jorge Mejia led the way with a huge night going three-for-five with two home runs, six runs batted in, and three runs scored. The victory improves Calgary to 21-11 on the first half of the season which is 4.5 games ahead of the Cracker-Cats in the standings.
Calgary quickly jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning with a Darryl Brinkley single, steal of second base, and a run batted in triple off the bat of Jorge Mejia. A sacrifice fly hit by Drew Miller scored Mejia to double the Snakes lead. With two outs Felix Jose and Nelson Castro singled and both scored on a two run triple by Jose Morban for the 4-0 lead.
Two more runs were added an inning later with two outs when Travis Drader reached on a throwing error by shortstop Jonathan Castro and Mejia nailed a two run home run for the 6-0 advantage.
Mejia was back at the plate for more damage in the top of the fourth inning as Brinkley walked, Drader singled, and Mejia smoked his second long ball of the game for a 9-0 lead.
In the bottom of the inning Edmonton got into the game with a walk to Chris Van Rossum, a single by Joe Jiannetti, a ground out to move the runners into scoring position, and a two-out, two run single from Orlando Miller. On the play Vipers left fielder Drew Miller had the ball get away from him allowing Orlando Miller to reach third base. Dan Luyben made the score 9-3 with a RBI single.
Right back came Calgary in the fifth inning with a Morban double, Patrick Arlis bunt single, and a Colin Moro walk to load the bases. One run scored when Brinkley hit into a double play and Drader knocked in a second run with a triple for the 11-3 lead.
Edmonton scored a run in the bottom of the inning with a double from Marcus Nettle, a Ruddy Yan walk, and Jiannetti reaching on a fielding error by Vipers' pitcher Nate Melek.
The Cracker-Cats continued to chip away an inning later with Miller reaching on a throwing error by third baseman Drader, Luyben and Jonathan Castro walking to load the bases, and Ruddy Yan scoring two runs with a single to make the score 11-6.
Another run was scored in the bottom of the seventh inning with a Jiannetti triple and a Miller RBI ground out.
Edmonton came within two runs in the bottom of the eighth as Castro was hit by a pitch, Nettles singled, Jiannetti walked, and Carlos Arroyo hit a two run double for the 11-9 score.
An insurance run was scored by Calgary in the top of the ninth inning as Felix Jose singled, was pulled for pinch runner Jorge Tang, Morban was intentionally walked, a ground out moved the runners into scoring position, and Tang scored on a wild pitch for the 12-9 lead.
Nate Melek (2-1) picked up the victory in going five innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out a season high six batters. Geoff Freeborn (1) recorded his first save of the season coming into the game with the tying run at the plate and getting the final two outs. The loss went to Eric Van Slyke (2-3) as he gave up 11 runs in 4.2 innings.
This mini two game series concludes Tuesday July 1st at 7:05 PM (MDT) with Jordy Alexander (3-2) making the start.
Calgary returns home to Foothills Stadium Wednesday July 2nd at 6:05 PM (MDT) for a double-header against the Cracker-Cats. Ryan Schurman (1-1) will start Game 1 and Dallas Mahan (3-1) toes the rubber for the back half of the twin bill. Thursday July 3rd at 7:05 PM (MDT) the series concludes with Joe Sergent (0-0) taking the ball.
Tickets can be ordered by calling 277-BALL (2255). All games can be heard live online at www.calgaryvipers.com.
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