The Fort McMurray Giants wrapped up a five game road trip with an 18-6 thumping of the Medicine Hat Mavericks Sunday afternoon.
The bats were alive as the Giants racked up 22 hits with all nine batters recording at least one hit in the game. New comer, Garrett Takamatsu was a perfect five for five at the plate and belted his first home run of the season and batted in five runs. Max Hewitt extended his hit streak to six games with a three hit, four RBI game. Tyler Friis, Travis Turner, Ryan Villarreal, Josh Iannetti and Jordan Stickler also had multi-hit games.
Tyler Moskalyk picked up his first win of the season pitching five and two-third innings allowing five runs on 12 hits while striking out four.
The win snapped a three game losing streak that was sandwiched in the middle of the five game trip.
The Giants started the trip on the right foot with a convincing 9-4 win over the Brooks Bombers on Wednesday. Josh Snider led the offence with four hits while Trevor Bauer pitched six and one-third innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one run and striking out seven.
The next night in Okotoks, the Giants jumped out to an early 3-0 lead but were unable to hold the Dawgs offence at bay as Okotoks walked away with an 8-5 win. Hector Benitez and Tyler Friis each had a pair of hits and runs scored in the ball game.
Hoping to make up some ground in Medicine Hat against the Mavericks who hold down the final playoff position in the Western Division, the Giants dropped the first two games of a three game set and now find themselves six games out of the final playoff spot.
Friday, the Mavericks erased a 4-0 Giants lead, tying the game in the bottom of the 8th inning and scoring in the bottom of the 10th to take the game 5-4. Keegan Marsden went three for four at the plate while Alex Nolan was strong on the mound pitching five and a third innings and striking out six batters.
On Saturday, a big 7th inning for the Mavericks was all the offence they would need as they downed the Giants 5-1. Max Hewitt had two hits in the game and Tyler Hodder pitched six and a third innings allowing three runs on five hits.
The Giants will open up a six game home stand on Tuesday as they welcome the Swift Current 57s to Shell Place. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Shell Place box office. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. The Giants will host the 57s again on Wednesday before taking on the Brooks Bombers for four games over the weekend.
