Mavs get back on the horse after loss

By Mo Cranker on July 9, 2018.

NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
Medicine Hat Mavericks' Jordan Dray celebrates after scoring one of his team's 14 runs Sunday, July 8, 2018 during a victory over the Swift Current 57's at Athletic Park. The Mavs fell 13-10 Saturday against the Edmonton Prospects.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

While all good things must come to an end at some point, it doesn’t mean they can’t start right back up again.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks had their 13-game win streak ended Saturday at the hands of the Edmonton Prospects in a 13-10 loss, but the team quickly bounced back Sunday with a 15-4 victory over the Swift Current 57s.

The Mavs hit the score sheet with two runs in the first, but quickly fell behind Saturday, giving up five in the second, three in the third and three in the fourth — and trailed Edmonton 11-5 after five innings.

“We knew we weren’t going to win them all,” said head coach Andrew Murphy. “Their hitters capitalized on us when they needed to and we just couldn’t catch up in the end.”

Jumpei Akanuma started for the Mavs and was on the hook for eight earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings of work, while Junior Pimentel was credited with the loss.

The Mavs made things interesting with a five-run seventh inning, but Edmonton held on for the win.

Zack Gray and David Vilches both had 3 RBI on the night.

Medicine Hat found themselves in an early hole again Sunday against the 57s, but this time the team had an answer.

After giving up two runs in the second, the Mavs scored runs in five straight innings, including a six-run sixth inning to cruise past Swift Current.

“Today when we got down, we didn’t panic,” said Murphy. “Last night there was some panic in there, but today the guys just knew we were going to win the game.”

Colton Wright had a big afternoon at the plate, going 2-for-6 and bringing four Mavs across home plate. His bases-loaded double in the fifth put the home team ahead for good in front of an announced crowd of 874 at Athletic Park.

Gray went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, while Sal Rodriguez knocked in three of his own.

Matt Brooks got the win for Medicine Hat for his five innings pitched. He gave up five earned runs, while walking two and striking out seven.

The Mavs now sit at 24-4 on the year and take on the 19-10 Okotoks Dawgs at 7:05 p.m. tonight at Athletic Park.