One day after dropping a 2-0 decision to the Swift Current 57’s in Western Canadian Baseball League action, the Express rebounded with a 17-2 win over the Melville Millionaires – only a few days after falling to Melville 3-1 at home.
The split sees the Express once again a game above .500 with an 11-10 record, 6 ½ games back of the Weyburn Beavers for first in the Eastern Division and four games up on Melville for the final playoff spot.
Swift Current 2, Express 0
The Express couldn’t find a way to solve Arkansas State hurler Zachary Patterson, and it showed in the boxscore and then some.
Patterson tossed eight complete, giving up only two hits along the way while striking out 11 and walking only two. Logan Garza pitched the ninth, striking out the side to earn his third save of the season.
Matt Jackson had a solid start of his own, giving up a pair of runs, one earned, while striking out four in five innings of work. Nick Falco and Tyler Sheridan combined to toss three innings of scoreless relief.
Cole Warken and Dougie DelaCruz had the only hits for Moose Jaw
Express 17, Melville 2
After their win at Ross Wells Park on Sunday, the Millionaires’ celebration rubbed the Miller Express the wrong way and led to a minor post-game confrontation.
Turns out, the baseball gods weren’t all that impressed either, leading to one of the most lopsided wins the Express have put together this season.
Moose Jaw rolled out to a 7-0 lead through four innings, tacked on another seven runs in the seventh and added three more in the ninth for good measure to take their commanding victory.
Geordie McDougall continued to swing a hot bat, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a home run, double, three runs scored and five runs batted in. Blake Gallagher also crossed the plate three times, while Darrell Doll scored a pair of runs and knocked in two.
All the run support made for a relaxed night for Express starter Jeff Nicolosi, as he went seven innings, giving up two runs on six hits. Jaden Hofmann and Jack Gamba each gave up a single hit in an inning of work.
The Express are back in action Thursday night when they host Swift Current and Friday against the Yorkton Cardinals. Game time for both contests is 7 p.m.
Extra innings
With a rare Saturday night off, the Miller Express are putting the time to good use while looking to add a few dollars to their bank account. The Express will be holding a Half-Rack Ribs Fundraiser at the Crushed Can Sports Bar and Nightclub on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Tickets are $20 each and available at Ross Wells on gameday and at the door the night of.
