Report by the Armada’s Josh Feldman

Jose Lima lasted 8 innings on opening night, but gave up two home runs as the Calgary Vipers defeated the Long Beach Armada, 4-0, at Foothill Stadium on Thursday night.

Lima (0-1), a former All-Star with the Houston Astros in 1999, struck out 6 and did not surrender a walk. He only reached 3-ball counts twice during his 8 innings of work.

The snakes bit in the third inning, as shortstop Nelson Castro launched a 3-run homerun (1) off Lima, scoring catcher Rick Guarno and first baseman Colin Moro. Vipers left fielder Drew Miller added a solo shot one inning later to give Calgary the 4-0 advantage.

Vipers starting pitching Joe Sergent (1-0) pitched six innings of scoreless innings, giving up 8 hits while striking out 4 and surrendering no walks. Two relievers teamed up for three scoreless innings of relief work. Cody Chillo relieved Sergent, pitching two innings, striking out 2. Jon Huizinga pitched the ninth innings, striking out 1 and hitting a batter.

Armada rookie DH Matthew Edgecombe recorded his first professional hit in his first at bat, finishing the night 2-for-4. The Armada’s 1-2 hitters centerfielder Josh Womack and shortstop Omar Bramasco finished the night each with two hits, but the 3-4-5 men, LF Casey Garrison, 3B Chad Miller and 1B Daryl Jones, went a combined 1-for-11. Long Beach stranded 10 runners on the night.

The Armada and Vipers play the second game of the season-opening four-game series Friday at 6:05pm PT. LHP Ben Fox gets the start for the Armada against fellow Las Vegas, Nevada, native RHP Evan Gruesell. The game broadcast can be heard live through www.longbeacharmada.com with the pre-game show starting at 5:50pm PT.