The Moose Jaw Miller Express saw their losing streak hit seven games on Friday night, thanks to a 7-4 loss to the Fort McMurray Giants at Ross Wells Park.
And like the vast majority of their contests throughout the current skid, it was once again a night where things could have turned out so much better.
That was once again thanks to starter Tim Carlson, who pitched another gem and gave the Miller Express a chance to win through the first seven innings.
All told, Carlson would allow three runs on six hits in 7 ⅓ innings, scattering six hits and striking out six. It was the Minot State hurler’s sixth quality start in 10 outings this season and only the second time he gave up three or more runs in an appearance.
That was good enough for Moose Jaw to have a 2-1 lead at that point in the game, thanks to single runs in the first and fourth innings.
Zach Campbell got things going for the Express in the first, reaching on an error at first and going to third before scoring on a Nate Mensik ground out.
There things sat until the fourth, when Dawson Tweet singled home Austin Gurney to put the Express ahead 2-0.
Fort McMurray got one back in the seventh, and when Carlson left the game in the eighth after throwing 110 pitches, the Giants' offense came alive.
WCBL all-star Jesse Scholtz absorbed most of the damage, surrendering three runs on three hits before he was able to get out of the eighth. The appearance was Scholtz’s 34th of the season in 50 games, seven more than teammate Triston Seitz for the most in the WCBL and 11 more than any other pitcher in the league.
A two-run home run off the bat of Campbell in the bottom of the inning got Moose Jaw back within three runs, but Fort McMurray tacked on another on two hits off reliever Reece Helland in the top of the ninth to close out scoring.
Fortunately, there was some good news on the night.
The Regina Red Sox also ended up dropping an 8-6 decision in Lethbridge, meaning the two team have identical 28-22 records and continue to remain tied for first in the East Division. They have to look in their rear-view mirror, though, as the Swift Current 57’s, winners of eight straight, are now only 1 ½ games back.
The Miller Express are back in action on Saturday night against Fort McMurray, with game time 7:05 p.m. at Ross Wells Park.
