Millers pick up win in shortened game

The Moose Jaw Miller Express are scoring in bunches so far this season.

The Millers used a six-run third inning to secure a 7-1 win over the Swift Current 57s at Ross Wells Park on Friday night.

The game lasted just 6 1/3 innings before the sky opened up and the game was delayed, then called with Moose Jaw taking the victory to improve to 2-0 on the young Western Major Baseball League season.

Starting pitcher Ryder Yakel was sharp over five innings of work for the Millers in picking up the win. After allowing back-to-back doubles to start the second inning, Yakel retired the next 11 batters to help Moose Jaw build up the lead.

Yakel ended up allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

Nick Falco pitched a scoreless sixth inning, which included a 6-4-3 double play that helped him work around three walks.

Markus Gregson had come on for the seventh inning and surrendered a walk before the rain started.

The Millers opened the scoring when Blake Gallagher came around to score on a fielder’s choice from Yonnelle Firebrace and the game was tied 1-1 after two.

Just as they did in the first inning of Thursday’s season opener, the Millers got things rolling in the third inning on Friday.

Moose Jaw managed just three hits in the third, but worked three walks and had two batters hit by a pitch to help them score three runs. Brooks Benson was hit to lead off the inning and came around to score. He would drive two more runs for the Millers later in the inning with an RBI double.

Benson finished the night 1-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI.

Shortstop John Prudhom, catcher Ty Barclay, DH Ty Roseberry and Gallagher also drove in runs in the win for Moose Jaw, while Gallagher scored twice as well.

Swift Current starter Zack Bravo gave up four earned runs on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of work. Moose Jaw also tagged reliever Spencer Koelewyn for three runs on two hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.

The Millers are now heading out on the road for the weekend as they travel to Brooks for a two-game set against the Bombers, who haven’t hit the field this season.

First pitch is at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.