By Randy Palmer July 21 2023
Moose Jaw takes 7-2 win over 57’s at home before rolling to 10-5 victory in rematch on road
The Moose Jaw Miller Express didn’t take long to get back on the winning track.
After losing back-to-back games for the first time in over a month in Western Canadian Baseball League action earlier this week, the Express returned to the win column with a home-and-home series sweep against the Swift Current 57’s, The Express won the opener 7-2 at home on Wednesday night before travelling west and taking a 10-5 victory in the rematch.
Moose Jaw is now 28-13 on the season and holds an eight-game lead over the Medicine Hat Mavericks for top spot in the East Division with 14 games remaining in the regular season.
Moose Jaw 7, Swift Current 2
After scoring a pair of runs in the seventh to take a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Express put up for more to take control of the contest once and for all.
With eight- and nine-hitters Bobby Pokorney and Thomas Soto finding ways to get on base, the top of the order was able to cash them in, leading Dawson Tweet to a 2-for-5 night that included three runs batted in, while Nate Mensik was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Both players also added a double to their ledger.
Soto capped his night with three runs scored, while Pokorney crossed the plate twice.
Matt Vasquez got the job done on the mound, allowing a single run on three hits over five innings before giving way to Zach Sigmon, who struck out four in two innings of work. Haldon Craig allowed a single run on two hits in the eighth, and Brayan Villar finished things off with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth.
Moose Jaw 10, Swift Current 5
Mensik continued to do damage at the plate since returning from injury, putting together a 3-for-4 night that included a two-run home run in the third inning, knocking in a pair of runs and scoring three.
Mensik’s round-tripper led to Moose Jaw scoring four runs in the third, and the Express would bat through the order on their way to putting up another four runs in the fifth.
All that offence was more than enough for starter Gabe Soto to settle in nicely, and he’d end up with a solid showing, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings. Kaleb Waller tossed the next three innings and was equally as effective, allowing a single run on four hits, and Myles Thomas finished things off, surrendering a pair of runs in the ninth.
Dougie Delacruz also had a good game at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, with Soto and Austin Gurney scoring three runs each.
The Miller Express are back in action on Friday night when they host the Lethbridge Bulls for the first of two games at Ross Wells Park this weekend, Game times both Friday and Saturday are 7:05 p.m.