By Randy Palmer Jul 29, 2023
Moose Jaw takes 4-3 victory at Ross Wells Park to win season series five-games-to-three
The Moose Jaw Miller Express weren’t about to let the Trans Canada Clash trophy slip from their grip two years in a row.
Chaz Poppy doubled home Dougie DelaCruz with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the Miller Express would go on to a 4-3 victory over the Regina Red Sox in Western Canadian Baseball League action at Ross Wells Park on Saturday night.
As a result, the Express claim the Clash season series five-games-to-three, bringing the trophy to Moose Jaw after losing it on the final day of the season in 2022.
The Miller Express also improved to 34-16 on the season and continue to hold a nine-game lead over the Medicine Hat Mavericks atop the East Division, having clinched the division title earlier this week. Moose Jaw is also 8-2 in their last 10 and have closed within two games of Okotoks for top spot in the WCBL and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
While the Express bats have been key much of the season, their starting pitching has taken on greater importance in recent games, and it was on point once again on Friday night.
Kellen Voggesser pitched five shutout innings before giving up three runs in the sixth and would cap his night with a quality start, scattering 11 hits and striking out seven without giving up a walk.
Standout reliever Julian Gonzalez and Haldon Craig went to work from there, with Gonzalez shutting down Regina the next two innings and Craig giving up a hit in the final inning before securing the save.
DelaCruz capped his night with a 2-for-4 showing that included a pair of runs scored, while Bobby Pokorney had a two-run double as part of Moose Jaw’s three-run fourth inning.
The Miller Express are right back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host the Swift Current 57’s. Game time is 2:05 p.m. at Ross Wells Park.