Millers Upset Swift Current In Home Finale

The playoffs might be lost, but the Moose Jaw Miller Express wanted to give their home fans something to cheer about to end the season.

The Millers were able to do just that on Wednesday night as they won their final home game 8-3 over the Eastern Division-leading Swift Current Indians at Ross Wells Park.

“These fans deserved something to enjoy and we were happy to be able to do that today,” said outfielder Cutter McDowell, who finished with a home run and four RBIs in the win.

The 662 fans that turned out to pack Ross Wells for the final home game of the regular season were treated to a great effort from the home side as they bounced back from a 12-2 loss in Swift Current on Tuesday.

McDowell powered the offence with a 2-for-4 night, adding a double, two runs scored and a walk along the way as well. Left fielder Lance VanNoy was also swinging a hot bat in the home finale, going 3-for-5 with an RBI.

“It was awesome, the big crowd kept us in it and it was nice to have a win for all these fans because they’ve been with us all year, they’ve been rooting us on all year and it’s good to go out with a win for them,” said VanNoy.

The Millers actually fell behind early as Swift Current opened the game with two runs in the first. After Moose Jaw tied things up in the second inning, the Indians retook the lead in the third, but that would be the last time that they’re on top.

Moose Jaw scored twice again in the fourth when McDowell walked in a run with the bases loaded and Louis Boyd stole home.

A three-run homer by McDowell in the sixth put Moose Jaw up 7-3 and they tacked on another run in the eighth on an RBI-single by VanNoy.

“We wanted to make sure that we came out and put on a good show and we certainly did that today,” said head coach Michael Hunt.

The Millers got a great outing from Dylan Blaha on the mound in his first start of the season as he went six innings, allowing three runs – only two earned – on six hits. He struck out five and walked four in the win.

The bullpen was outstanding in the win as Chris Suarez, Mark Baughman and Travis Kuhn each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. The Indians managed just one hit over the final three innings.

The Millers will finish the regular season on the road with games against the Bombers in Brooks on Thursday and Friday.