The Moose Jaw Miller Express haven’t taken long to get back in the win column after a loss all season, and Friday night was no exception.
The Express scored single runs in the first and fifth and added two more in the seventh to take a 4-1 road victory over the Swift Current 57’s in Western Canadian Baseball League action.
Moose Jaw had dropped an 8-7 decision to the 57’s at home one night earlier, but this time around improved to 33-16 on the campaign as they play out the string. The Express hold a nine-game lead over Medicine Hat for first place in the East Division and clinched the division title earlier this week.
The contest quickly turned into a pitching duel, as Express starter Ethan Merk and the Mavericks’ Patrick Tangen were on point from the start.
Merk ended up getting the better of things thanks to his sixth quality start of the season, as he went six innings and allowed a single run while scattering five hits and striking out eight. Tangen was solid in his own right, holding the Express to four runs on six hits through seven.
Zach Sigmon saw to it there would be no comeback like the night prior, tossing the final three innings and giving up a single hit while striking out four.
Moose Jaw was nursing a 2-1 lead heading into the late innings when Nate Mensik gave his pitching staff a bit of relief, sending a single to right field to bring home Dawson Tweet and Thomas Soto with insurance runs. Mensik would finish the night 1-for-3 with three runs batted in.
While not putting a hit on the board isn’t news for most players, it is for Tweet, as the Express outfielder was held without a knock for only the second time this season but still drew a pair of walks and scored a run.
Soto capped his night 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Greyson Barret was 1-for-3 with a run.
The Express have seven games remaining on the regular season, including the next four games at home. Next action is Saturday night as they take on the Regina Red Sox for the final time this season. Moose Jaw leads the Trans Canada Clash four games to three and can win the season series outright. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Ross Wells Park.
