NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks first baseman Max Valdez celebrates his eighth inning home run with his teammates in the Mavs 9-1 win Sunday afternoon at Athletic Park against the Weyburn Beavers.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks wrapped up their weekend on a high note.
The Mavs beat the Weyburn Beavers 9-1 Sunday at Athletic Park to sweep their two game set and mark a three-game winning streak. Medicine Hat came into the contest off an 8-3 win Saturday over the Beavers and a 7-3 win Friday at Lethbridge against the Bulls.
“We’re feeling good, it was a hot one and I’m glad that the boys came out ready to go after last night,” Mitchell said. “I don’t have much to say today we, we kicked butt, it was good.”
The Mavs led early and often, scoring in six of the possible eight innings they could capitalize on offensively.
Medicine Hat opened the scoring in the first inning with a sacrifice hit from second baseman Brady Bean. After a scoreless second frame, the Mavs scored in the third on a ball put in play from left fielder Ryan Dousett that was misplayed by the Weyburn second baseman.
The Mavs kept the offence going with a two-run fourth frame as shortstop Johnny Vulcano scored on a wild pitch and centre fielder Brody Gardner drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. After the Beavers plated their lone run of the game, scoring in the fifth, the Mavs answered back with two runs in the sixth.
Gardner picked up an RBI with a single to right field and a batter later, Dousett knocked in a run with a single to right field. Medicine Hat capitalized on another wild pitch in the contest as catcher Andrew Savage scored on a loose ball in the seventh inning.
The final runs of the game came in the eighth inning on a two-run home run from first baseman Max Valdez, his fourth of the season.
Dylan Esquival started the contest for the Mavericks and picked up the win and a quality start. He struck out 11 batters while only allowing one unearned run on two hits and four walks. Casey Henderson entered the game in relief and worked two innings with two strikeouts, surrendering only one walk. Lucas Teel pitched the final frame, allowing a hit and a walk before shutting the door for the 9-1 win.
The Mavs (26-25) enter an off day Monday before hitting the road for Moose Jaw to open a two game set against the East division leading Miller Express starting on Tuesday.
