The Regina Red Sox captured a 5-4 win over the Swift Current 57’s Sunday night at Currie Field.
The Sox now have a one game lead in their three-game east division final leading into tonight’s action in Speedy Creek.
Baylor Gianinni pitched six strong innings, giving up one run and striking out six. He said a lot went right during his start.
“First inning is always a little hesitant when I’m up there, and I just get that confidence going as the game keeps going on,” Gianinni said. “Me and Ben (Komonosky) had a good game plan, just working the pitches in and the defence had my back the whole night.”
Gianinni’s only earned run allowed came in the first inning when 57’s catcher Tanner Holen hit a sacrifice fly to score the runner from third, giving Swift Current the early lead.
In the bottom of the second, Red Sox catcher Ben Komonosky cracked a two-run home run to left-centre field, giving the Sox a 2-1 lead. Komonosky finished the game 2-4 with 2 RBI.
Komonosky later said he is starting to calm his approach at the plate.
“Not trying to swing too hard, that’s been my problem the whole season, just trying to do too much out there,” Komonosky said. “Playoff time, I’m just trying to calm myself down, and swing about 80%, just to hit the ball first.”
Red Sox outfielder Rio Russell would add another home run in the third, giving the Sox a two-run lead.
In the sixth inning, Right Fielder Ryan Eastburn smoked a single to right field, allowing Ivan Nunez to score from second base, boosting the lead to three.
However, in the top of the seventh inning, Kiel Krumwiede floated a three-run home run out to right field, tying the game.
After the seventh inning stretch, the Red Sox rallied. Rio Russell again had a nice piece of hitting, this time a single to score Robbie Wilkes from second, giving the Sox the 5-4 lead, and eventually the win.
Wilkes said the Sox need a hot start Monday night in Swift Current in game two of the series.
“(Got to) get locked in from first pitch, and looking at all of these guys, I think we’re going to be ready to go, we’re a pretty energized group, and there’s good excitement around here so we’ll be ready to go (Tuesday).”
If the Sox were to lose game two at Mitchell Field Tuesday, game three is Wednesday night back at Currie Field.
