The Moose Jaw Miller Express are back in the win column.
One night after seeing their nine-game Western Canadian Baseball League winning streak snapped with a loss to league-leading Okotoks, the Express scored a pair of runs in each of the first and last innings to take a 4-1 victory over the Lethbridge Bulls.
The win gives Moose Jaw wins in nine of their last 10 and saw their record improve to 25-11 on the season, good enough for a nine-game lead over Regina atop the East Division standings.
All four Millers pitchers turned impressive showings Thursday night, led by start Gabe Soto. The Express rookie went five innings and held Lethbridge without a run while scattering five hits and striking out three. His relievers were just as solid -- Julian Gonzalez allowed a single run on two hits and struck out three over the next two innings before WCBL all-stars Haldon Craig and Brayan Villar finished things off with a scoreless inning apiece.
Julio Acosta led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run-scoring double in the ninth inning. Dawson Tweet was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Nate Mensik and Austin Gurney crossed the plate with Moose Jaw’s other runs.
Kole Jessamine had a solid game himself for Lethbridge, going seven innings and allowing the two runs on six hits while striking out five.
The two teams are right back in action on Friday night in Lethbridge before heading to Okotoks for the All-Star Game. Moose Jaw then finishes off their West Division road swing with two games in Medicine Hat on Monday and Tuesday.
Next home action is Wednesday, July 19 when they host the Swift Current 57’s for the first time since the first week of the season.
