MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- It’s become a bit of a theme for the Moose Jaw Miller Express and Regina Red Sox in the Western Canadian Baseball League this season.
If the two Trans Canada Clash opponents are taking the field, you can pretty much be guaranteed a close and competitive game.
Such was the case in game four of the season-long series on Wednesday night, as the Red Sox scored a pair of runs in each of the third and fourth innings and would go on to a 6-3 victory in Regina.
Moose Jaw fell to 20-15 with their second-straight loss after an eight-game winning streak and are now 3 ½ games back of the Red Sox for first place in the WCBL East Division, one game back of the Medicine Hat Mavericks for second.
The Express got off to a great start, with Austin Gurney hitting a two-run home run as the third batter of the game and giving Moose Jaw a quick 2-0 lead.
Regina got one back in the second inning, though, and with their four runs out of the second and third, led 5-2 heading into the fifth inning. The teams then exchanged runs in the seventh to cap scoring on the evening.
Matt Vasquez got the start for the Express and allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings before giving way to Jadon Canelli, who tossed two scoreless innings and struck out a pair. Drew Sorrentino allowed a run on a pair of hits in the seventh and Jacob Castaneda finished things off with a 1 â…“ innings of shutout ball.
Three Red Sox pitchers would hold Moose Jaw to only four hits, as Brendon Gutierrez gave the Red Sox a quality start and allowed two runs on a hit over six innings while striking out four. Colton Anderson allowed a run on two hits over the next two innings and Ty Fortin recorded the save with a scoreless ninth.
Joe Osborn hit a double and knocked in a run for the Express, Robert Estrada and Darren Hagen had Moose Jaw’s other hits.
Kody Hanna led the way at the plate for Regina, going 2-for-3 with his 12th double of the season, a run scored and an RBI. Jackson Romero also hit a double and knocked in a pair of runs, while Danny Gonzalez also had a pair of hits.
The Miller Express are right back in action on Thursday night when the Weyburn Beavers are in town. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Ross Wells.
