The Express dropped a 7-5 decision on Tuesday to open their three-game Western Canadian Baseball League series before taking an 11-7 win in the rematch on Thursday night at Ross Wells Park.
Moose Jaw now sits with a 16-14 record and remain six games back of the Eastern Division-leading Weyburn Beavers, 3 ½ games ahead of the Melville Millionaires for the final playoff spot.
Brooks 7, Express 5
Things looked good for the home team in the early going, as Blake Gallagher put together another quality start, giving up two runs – one earned – in six innings of work while striking out eight.
That was good enough for a 4-2 lead heading into the seventh inning, where Gallagher gave up a lead-off walk that came around to score. Jaden Hofmann took over from there, and the Bombers were able to take advantage of a pair of wild pitches to bring home Bryan Kimbrough with the tying run before McCoy Pearce hit a two-run home run to give Brooks a 6-4 lead.
The Bombers extended that lead to 7-4 in the ninth, and while the Express would get one back in their half of the inning, they’d get no closer.
Geordie McDougall led the Express offence with a home run and a pair of runs batted in, Zach Campbell also knocked in a pair. Michael Borst and Chris Warken each had a pair of hits in five trips to the plate.
Express 11, Brooks 7
The Express wasted no time getting things going in the re-match one night later, scoring six runs in the first on their way to building an 11-2 lead through five innings.
Veteran infielder Ty Lightley made his second appearance with the Express since arriving in Moose Jaw and had a solid day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Lightley’s outing was one of several impressive offensive showings for the Millers – Alex Orenczuk went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a pair of RBI, Dougie DelaCruz 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI, Warken 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
That was more than enough offence for starter Matt Jackson, who picked up the win while giving up five runs on four hits and seven walks while striking out eight in 5 1/3 innings work. Ty Sheridan gave up a pair of runs on three hits to close out the sixth before Reece Helland and Jack Gamba combined to toss three innings of shut-out ball the rest of the way.
Kris Perez led Brooks (10-24) with a 2-for-3 night at the plate, scoring two runs and knocking in four.
The two team close out the series Thursday night at Ross Wells Park. Game time is 7 p.m.
