By Randy Palmer
Moose Jaw runs win streak to seven with 7-6 and 10-4 victories at Ross Wells Park
MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — The Moose Jaw Miller Express put the long ball to good use on their way to a doubleheader sweep of the Swift Current 57’s in Western Canadian Baseball League action on Friday night.
Austin Gurney hit a pair of home runs in the opener and Joe Osborn did the same in the nightcap as the Miller Express took 7-6 and 10-4 victories at Ross Wells Park.
The wins give Moose Jaw seven straight and see the Express improve to 19-13, now three games back of the Regina Red Sox for first place in the East Division.
Moose Jaw 7, Swift Current 6
Gurney hit solo home runs in the third and fifth innings, and they’d end up needing both of those runs to help stage a comeback win.
The 57’s scored a pair of runs in the first and another three in the second to build a 5-1 edge, but Gurney’s home runs got them back within three, and after Swift Current scored another in the top of the sixth, Moose Jaw put up four in their half to take the lead.
With the teams playing seven-inning games, the 57’s would get the tying run to third, but Westin Walls would strike out the side to take the win.
Gurney finished up with a 3-for-4 game that included three runs batted in, while Thomas Soto crossed the plate twice. Robert Estrada was 2-for-2 with a walk.
Declan O’Hare got the start for Moose Jaw and allowed five runs on five hits in 1 ? but was picked up by his relievers, as Jadon Canelli went 3 ? and and allowed a single hit before Jacob Castanea tossed the fifth and allowed a single run on two hits.
Cullen Verville was 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored for Swift Current.
Jacob Young got the start for the 57’s and allowed two runs over four innings, Jaylen Gutierrez surrendered five runs on eight hits over the final two innings.
Moose Jaw 10, Swift Current 4
After their close call in the opener, the Express left nothing to chance in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the second, three more in third and holding a 9-2 lead through four.
Osborn played a large part in that, hitting a two-run home run in the third and another two-run shot the next inning as Moose Jaw built their commanding lead. He’d cap the game with a 2-for-3 effort that included three runs scored and four RBI.
Elijah Bear had a solid game of his own at the plate, hitting a solo home run to lead off the sixth and finishing 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a double. Garrett Dennis had a 2-for-3 night, and Soto hit a double and knocked in a pair.
Adam Christopher made his first start for the Express and allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits over four innings of work. Ty Thomson allowed two runs in the fifth before a committee of three relievers — Julian Gonzalez, Drew Sorrentino and Castaneda — finished off the win.
All told, Swift Current was held to four hits, but seven walks helped their run total. Demetrio Archuleta had their best day at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and an RBI.
Klevert Martina started for the 57’s and allowed seven runs — only three earned — on six hits in 2 ?. Andres Mendez finished things off, giving up three runs on four hits in 3 ?.
The Express are back in action Saturday and Sunday in Swift Current, with their next home game Thursday against Weyburn at Ross Wells.