Millers Sweep Cardinals in Weekend Set

Miller Express infielder Blake Gallagher celebrates after scoring during Moose Jaw's 16-8 win over Yorkton on Sunday. (Photo: Marc Smith)

It was a dominating weekend for the first place Moose Jaw Miller Express.

The Millers hosted the Yorkton Cardinals for a pair of games over the weekend and they had the bats going in both games.

After winning 12-2 on Saturday, Moose Jaw followed it up with a commanding 16-8 win on Sunday afternoon to improve to 4-1 this season, which has them tied with Regina for first place in the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Eastern Division after one week of action.

"We're just trying to get guys on, move them over and then get them in, everyone is hitting really well right now so we're just going to try to keep this rolling as long as we can," said Millers infielder Blake Gallagher after Sunday’s win.

Six of the Millers' first seven hitters in the lineup finished with multiple hits in the game.

Gallagher said that kind of production makes life pretty easy, "Having the confidence that you're going to score every inning or have a chance to at least, it makes pitching and defence easier," he said.

Gallagher hit a three-run home run during the Millers' six-run second inning, which gave them control after the Cardinals started hot with two runs in the first inning. He finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs, three RBI and two walks.

Moose Jaw followed up their big second inning with seven more runs in the third and they ran away with the game after that.

Yorkton put up three in the fifth to cut Moose Jaw's lead to 13-7, but the Millers answered with one run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, including a solo home run by Tucker Zdunich in the seventh.

First baseman Darrell Doll filled up the box score in the win, finishing 2-for-3 with two doubles, three walks, three runs scored and two RBI.

Lead-off hitter Eric Marriott was 2-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Michael Borst continued his strong start by going 2-for-4 with two runs, a walk and an RBI.

Dougie DelaCruz was 3-for-3 with two runs, two walks and three RBI as well.

Starting pitcher Matt Jackson allowed four runs -- three earned -- on four hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out two in the no-decision.

Tyler Sheridan came on after and allowed two runs on four walks over an inning.

Michael Ross was credited with the win after giving up two runs on two hits over two innings of work. He struck out two.

Nathan Slobodian, Cole Warken and Jack Gamba each pitched an inning of scoreless relief to finish off the win for the Millers.

With four wins in their first five games, there's a lot going right for Moose Jaw right now, but Gallagher said that they know there are still some areas to improve.

"Just throwing strikes, limit the walks and making plays on defence and we'll be alright," said Gallagher. "Guys are just getting back into the swing of things of pitching, so once we get a couple of games under our belt, we'll be fine."

The Millers get Monday off to rest up before hosting the Melville Millionaires on Tuesday night at Ross Wells Park

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