Mavericks double Bulls 4-2

Lethbridge Bulls were doubled 4-2 by the first-place Medicine Hat Mavericks in Western Major Baseball League action Tuesday night in Medicine Hat.

The win improves the Mavericks to 34-7 on the season while the Bulls drop to 19-24 for fourth place in the Western Division.

Both teams finished with six hits, but the Bulls also committed three errors, one of which led to an unearned run.

Bulls used seven pitchers in the game with the loss going to Kyle Poapst in relief of starter Kale Penner.

Bulls scored single runs in the second and fourth innings. In the second, Dylan Borman opened with a double and eventually scored on a double play ball to make it 1-0.

Mavericks responded with three runs in the third inning, including an unearned run after an error at second base, to make it 3-1.

Bulls came back with a single run in the fourth on a solo home run by Kaleb Warden.

Penner started for the Bulls, going two innings and giving up an earned run on two hits and walk, before giving way to Poapst.

Austin Tambellini then followed with two innings of no-hit shutout ball while Chris Messer pitched the sixth before giving way to Liam Sabiston in the seventh.

Mavericks stretched their lead to 42 in the eighth on an RBI double by Nolan Rattai against Bulls’ seventh pitcher Talon Derrick, who replaced Seth Spangler who started the inning, but failed to record an out.

Carter Witbeck was one-for-two with a walk for the Bulls at the plate while Warden was one-for-four with his solo home run.

Zack Gray was two-for-three with an RBI for the Mavericks while Jumpei Akanuma was the winning pitcher, going eight innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out three. Ryan Czanstkowski earned the save with a perfect ninth.

Bulls close out their regular-season home schedule with a four-game homestand beginning tonight at 7:05 against the Okotoks Dawgs at Spitz Stadium.

Bulls then play two against the Edmonton Prospects Thursday and Friday before concluding their home schedule Saturday against Medicine Hat.

Their final regular-season game is Sunday afternoon in Okotoks against the Dawgs.

Southern Alberta Newspapers photo by Sean Rooney Lethbridge Bulls shortstop Nick Ankermann (5) turns a double play, getting lead runner Nolan Rattai (1) of the Medicine Hat Mavericks out at second base as Bulls teammate Ashton Roy (3) looks on Tuesday at Athletic Park in Medicine Hat.