NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks' pitcher Aidan Lenzen follows through on a pitch in the first inning of the Mavs' 13-0 loss Monday at Athletic Park to the Fort McMurray Giants.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks enter a much needed off day Tuesday.
The Mavs were shut out 13-0 by the Fort McMurray Giants Monday night at Athletic Park. Medicine Hat came into the game off a 16-5 loss Sunday to the Giants.
Head coach Kevin Mitchell called the loss disappointing.
“Obviously after last night, would have loved to see the guys come out and put up a few runs early and that just wasn’t in the cards,” Mitchell said. “As far as this two-game set, they took it to us pretty good.I would personally like to get this one as far in the rearview mirror as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Fort McMurray opened the scoring in the fourth inning with an RBI double down the first base line. They added four more runs in the sixth inning for a 5-0 lead.
Medicine Hat was held hit-less until the sixth, limited to only two in the game.
The Mavs’ starter Aidan Lenzen worked into the sixth inning, allowing five runs (one earned) on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Mitchell liked the efforts of his starter and his efficiency, throwing only 30 pitches through four innings.
“It was crazy weather to start the game and swirling the winds and the kid just came in and filled it up,” Mitchell said. “He really did what we needed. Unfortunately we never got the bats going, that kind of went to the wayside. But it was great to see that out of him and I expect him to continue to do that for us.”
Ambidextrous pitcher Jon Shields took over in the sixth and worked 1.1 innings, throwing left-handed to all but one batter who he switched to throwing with his right arm against. He had two strikeouts, allowing two runs on four hits.
Evan Gant took over in the eighth and managed two outs, allowing five runs (four earned) on two hits, three walks with a strikeout. Fort McMurray put up a total of six runs in the eighth inning, for the eventual final score of 13-0.
Josh Notle worked the final out of the eighth and all of the ninth, recording two strikeouts with a walk, two hits and an un-earned run against.
Fort McMurray starting pitcher Matt Whitney worked seven one-hit innings, striking out six Medicine Hat batters in the win.
The Mavs (4-2) are off Tuesday before they hit the road Wednesday to face the Lethbridge Bulls. They’re back at Athletic Park on Thursday to host the Swift Current 57’s.
