Though they have a playoff spot clinched, the Moose Jaw Miller Express didn’t want to coast into the post-season.
Following Tuesday’s 3-0 loss in Swift Current, the Express will have two chances Wednesday to try to enter the Western Major Baseball League playoffs on a high.
The Express will meet Melville tonight on the road for a pair of seven-inning games. The meeting will be a preview of their WMBL semifinal series which will begin Friday.
“I don’t know if that’s fortunate or not — it can go either way,” said Express head coach Michael Hunt of the playoff preview. “If we have a really bad two games that obviously gives them a lot more confidence heading into the start of the playoffs. If we can scratch two wins then it’s anyone’s ball game going into the start of the playoffs.”
The Weyburn Beavers can tie Moose Jaw in the standings, but the Express (17-23) won the season series and will be the third seed in the East while the Beavers will face Regina in the other East semifinal. Swift Current will crossover and be the top seed in the West.
“Unfortunately its two games (Thursday) instead of one heading into a one-day gap before the playoffs start,” said Hunt.
“There’s no way we’re going to see a No.1 or 2 (pitcher). It should be, at least on paper, a hitter’s game (Thursday).”
The Express hitters will certainly be happy to get another chance to get on a bit of a roll after Tuesday night.
John Snyder was dominant on the mound for the Swift Current Indians as he allowed two hits in eight innings and struck out 10 Express hitters. The Express were struck out a dozen times in total.
Arturo Maltos-Garcia didn’t have bad a outing either in taking the loss. Brent Trask hit a two-out three-run home run in the second inning to supply all of the offence in the game.
Maltos-Garcia allowed four hits in his five innings when he left the game after reaching 65 pitches.
Dustin Silva finished 2-for-2 at the plate as the only offensive bright spot for the Express.
For more please see Wednesday’s Times-Herald.
