NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks second basemen Kellan Williamson admires his bunt attempt in the fourth inning of the Mavericks 2-0 loss to the Swift Current 57's Friday night at Athletic Park.
It didn’t go their way but Medicine Hat Mavericks fans were treated to a pitchers duel for Canada Day.
The Swift Current 57’s held the Mavericks to three hits Friday night as they handed Medicine Hat a 2-0 loss at Athletic Park. The loss marks the second time in the last three games the Mavericks have been held off the score sheet.
Mavericks head coach Tyler Jeske said the Mavs have to tip their caps to Swift Current starter, Kenny Jinks, who threw the complete game shutout.
“He did an excellent job, he kept the ball down, he was commanding his off speed, he pitched really well and you have to tip your cap,” Jeske said. “I thought throughout the night our at bats were competitive. We were executing our approach, we were doing a nice job of being tough outs and forcing them to earn it.”
Gerrit Erickson started the game for the Mavs and pitched six innings of two run baseball, both un-earned runs with three strikeouts.
The 57’s scored both of their runs in the fifth inning on a two out error that plated a run and kept the inning alive long enough for Swift Current to get their second run.
Kam Richards entered the game in the seventh inning and threw two shutout innings with two strikeouts before handing the ball to Jacob Prosch in the ninth who shut the door with one strikeout.
Jeske credited pitching coach Rod White and the bull pen for how they have come together.
“Rod’s done an outstanding job with, more than anything, shaping the culture and the mindset of the bullpen and what we’re going to be about when your name gets called to come into a game,” Jeske said. “You look at the season as a whole so far, the offence was clicking (early)and we still haven’t really put it together consistently across like games. We flashed it and we’ve seen what we can be. But I think the bullpen and it starts with Erickson tonight, the bullpen has become a real strength and an outstanding spot.”
The loss marks the Mavericks(9-16) third in a row as they hit the road for a two game set in Weyburn against the Beavers. Medicine Hat hosted Weyburn last weekend for two contests and outscored them 24-8, winning both games.
“Postgame message was, Weyburn came in here and we put up a lot of runs. Since they left we haven’t put up quite as many runs,” Jeske said. “Look at it and go hey, they’ve played a lot of good teams in this league, very tough. Look at the record and their not anything to take lightly, so you flush this one and move on.”
Jeske thanked the 1,496 Mavericks fans in attendance for choosing to spend their Canada Day with them at Athletic Park.
“We are very appreciate of all the fans who spent heir Canada Day with us at Athletic Park. The fans and their continued support are the backbone of this team.”
