The last time the Moose Jaw Miller Express endured a three-game losing streak, it was the first weekend of the season, and they promptly followed up with seven straight wins to emerge as a contender for the Western Canadian Baseball League East Division crown.
They’ll be hoping for the same kind of turnaround after suffering their third-straight defeat for only the second time this season on Friday night, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Regina Red Sox at Ross Wells Park.
Regina did almost all their damage in the first three innings against starter Tim Carlson, who despite taking the loss once again pitched well enough to end up on the other side of the coin -- four runs, three earned, on three hits and no walks to go along with seven strikeouts in five innings of work.
Thing is, in what has been a theme throughout the three losses, the opposition’s starter was just a little bit better, as Regina’s Bryson Sanchez allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings.
The Red Sox ended up taking a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth and hung on for dear life from there. The Express loaded the bases in their half of the inning but only managed a single run when Regina reliever Kade Douglas got a key double play.
Moose Jaw had another golden scoring chance in the eighth when Douglas hit the first three batters, but a strikeout and back-to-back ground-outs saw him escape that jam as well.
And again in the ninth, the Express got the tying run to the plate with one out, but couldn’t find the kind of key base hit that’s been a hallmark of their success all season.
Cam Grant had another solid game at the plate for Moose Jaw, going 2-for-4 with a double, while Zach Campbell was 2-for-5 with a run scored.
Michael Zinter hit a two-run home run for Regina in the third inning.
Moose Jaw fell to 20-11 on the season and now hold a 3 ½ game lead over the Red Sox for first place in the East Division.
The two teams are right back in action on Saturday night at Ross Wells Park, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
Extra innings…. As one would expect with a first-place team, the Miller Express were well represented when the WCBL East Division All-Star rosters were announced on Saturday morning… starters Tim Carlson and Kellen Voggesser were joined by reliever Jesse Scholtz from the Moose Jaw pitching staff, while catcher Bryan Reyes, shortstop Zach Campbell and outfielder Nate Mensik were also named to the team… the WCBL All-Star game takes place on Saturday, July 23 at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks.
