SOUTHERN ALBERTA NEWS JUSTIN SEWARD
Medicine Hat Mavericks designated hitter Michael Quick dives back into first base Wednesday night at Lethbridge, during the Mavs' 6-4 win over the Bulls.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks got back in the win column Wednesday.
The Mavs travelled down Highway 3 and beat the Lethbridge Bulls 6-4, snapping a two-game losing streak. Medicine Hat dropped a two-game set Sunday and Monday to the Fort McMurray Giants, getting outscored 26-5.
The Mavs opened the scoring Wednesday night in big-fly fashion.
Catcher Michael Quick, serving as the designated hitter in the contest, blasted a three-run home run in the second inning to put the Mavs ahead 3-0. Wednesday was only the second game Quick started, his first since the season opener in Moose Jaw on May 25.
Lethbridge did answer back, scoring a run in the bottom of the frame.
The Mavs gained the run back, utilizing another home run. Centre fielder Brody Gardner hit a deep solo home run to leadoff the third inning and put Medicine Hat back ahead by three runs.
For the second straight frame, Lethbridge answered back with a solo run, making it a 4-2 game.
Mavs’ starter John Walsh was lifted in the bottom of the sixth inning after allowing the leadoff hitter to get on base. Walsh ended his night with four strikeouts, allowing only three runs on five hits with a walk, picking up the win. Cesar Rodriguez took over on the mound and Lethbridge scored in the frame to make it a 4-3 game.
Medicine Hat answered back for a third time on the night, with a bases-loaded walk from right fielder Jordan Phillips bringing in a run to make it a 5-3 lead. The Mavs couldn’t capitalize more with the bases loaded in the inning.
They did add to their lead in the eighth. Medicine Hat shortstop Johnny Vulcano drove a ball to the alley in right-centre field to bring in a pair of runs, for a 6-3 Mavs lead heading into the ninth.
Lethbridge made it interesting late. With Dylan Runge on the mound for the Mavs since the seventh, the Bulls loaded the bases in the ninth with two out and scored one run on a misplayed ground ball in the infield.
That was as close as they would get as Runge drew a pop out and the Mavs held on for the 6-4 win. Runge finished his night with a strikeout in three innings of work, allowing one unearned run on two hits and a walk.
The Mavs (5-3) host the Swift Current 57’s Thursday at Athletic Park before hitting the road Friday to face the Brooks Bombers.
