Mavs complete comeback Tuesday, clinch first round home field advantage
By James Tubb on August 1, 2023.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks won twice Tuesday night. The Mavs made a five-run comeback to win 10-5 at Moose Jaw against the Miller Express. With the win, they clinched second place in the East division meaning they will have home field advantage in their first round playoff series, which will likely be against the third place Regina Red Sox. The Mavs also clinched the position before their win was final with the Red Sox 3-1 loss against the Swift Current 57’s. Medicine Hat came into the contest Tuesday off a 9-1 win Sunday at Athletic Park against the Weyburn Beavers and have put together four wins in a row. The Miller Express opened the scoring Tuesday night in a big way, getting two runs in the bottom of the first before adding three runs in the bottom of the second for an early 5-0 lead. Adam Golby started the game for the Mavs and worked into the second inning before he was relieved, giving him five runs allowed on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings pitched. Nicholas Spidel took over in the second and pitched 7.2 innings with seven strikeouts while only allowing one hit, picking up his first pitching win of the season. The Mavs started their come back in the third inning, scoring three runs on four hits. Third baseman Nathan Tarver, who was playing in his first game since July 28 when he was hit in the head by a pitch, drove in a run with a RBI single. Fielders choice plays off the bat of first baseman Andrew Savage and shortstop Johnny Vulcano drove in two runs. After three scoreless frames, the Mavs tied the game and grabbed the lead by scoring six runs in the seventh inning. Left fielder Ryan Dousett scored on an error by the Moose Jaw first baseman that allowed Tarver to get on base and scored two batters later on an RBI single from catcher Dominic VanDoorne. Savage scored on a wild pitch for the third run of the frame after Vulcano drew a walk. Moose Jaw made a pitching change and the Mavs kept their offence flowing. A batter after right fielder Tory Nelson drew a walk, a single from centre fielder Brody Gardner drove in two runs to give the Mavs their first lead of the game. They rounded out the inning with Nelson scoring on a wild pitch. Spidel held the Miller Express at bay after Medicine Hat grabbed the lead, striking out five of the last nine batters he faced. The Mavs added to their lead in the ninth inning with Gardner scoring on an error from the Moose Jaw third baseman, putting them ahead for the final score of 10-5. The Miller Express had four errors to the Mavericks one and the Mavs out-walked Moose Jaw, earning eight free bases to Moose Jaw’s one. The Mavs (27-25) are back at Moose Jaw on Wednesday for a rematch with the Miller Express and their final road game of the regular season. 12-11
