Mavs quieted by 57’s pitching

Leave it to the best pitching staff in the Western Major Baseball League to give the Medicine Hat Mavericks a quick game or two.

The Swift Current 57’s, sporting a team earned run average roughly half that of Medicine Hat’s, shut down the prolific Mavs bats in a 41, seven-inning win Wednesday as part of a doubleheader.

The second game of the twin bill wasn’t done by press time.

Right-handed pitcher Garrett Goodall only allowed three hits in five innings — two of them in the first frame when the visitors scored their lone run — then gave way to a bullpen that walked five batters but also stranded five runners on base through the last two Mavs at-bats.

Jared Libke was no slouch for Medicine Hat, going the distance and letting up just six hits, but gave up two runs in the fourth inning and singles in the fifth and sixth to take the loss.

Entering the day, Swift Current’s team ERA was a paltry 3.04, best in the league. By comparison Medicine Hat — which sported the best club batting average at .320 — had a 6.04 team ERA.

On the road since this time last week, the Mavericks are finally home today to host the Melville Millionaires, 7:05 p.m. at Athletic Park. The two teams play again at the same time Friday, then Regina’s Red Sox are in town for a 7:05 p.m. Canada Day game followed by a 2:05 p.m. rematch Sunday.