The first five innings of Tuesday’s game between the Weyburn Beavers and the Moose Jaw Miller Express could best be characterized as a defensive game, but it all changed in the sixth when Weyburn exploded for eight runs. The outpouring led them to a 10-3 victory over the Miller Express to take a 1-0 lead on the best-of-five East Division semifinal.

Coming into the sixth inning, the game was tied 1-1 until a three-run blast from Drake Pilat, which put the Beavers out front 4-1. It would just continue from there. The home run spelled the end of the night for Moose Jaw starting pitcher Mitchell Robinson, and in his place came Nick Falco. The Beavers, who were known throughout the regular season for terrorizing opposition relief pitchers, lived up to their reputation.

Anthony Galindo drove in another run with a single to right field which brought Nolan Machibroda across the plate. Then, with bases loaded, Felix Correa decided it would be a good time to clear them, as he hit a double to left which brought in three runners. The scoring would wrap up two batters later when Wade Weinberger hit a single to right which brought in Correa. The run also ended the night for Falco, as he was replaced by Travis Edgar.

The Beavers would make it 10-1 in the eighth inning as Corey Wheaton was able to make it home after an error by the Moose Jaw second baseman.

In the ninth inning, Moose Jaw would score two more runs, when Beavers reliever Ken Williams ended up issuing three walks in a row, which allowed two runs with the bases loaded to cross the plate.

On the mound, Ryan Johnson had the start for the Beavers. The veteran pitcher went five innings, striking out nine, and giving up just one run. Dalton Ross came on in relief in the sixth and went two innings himself while striking out two to pick up the win. Brodie Stairs and Williams each pitched an inning to close out the game, striking out one batter each.

Game two of the series is Wednesday night at Tom Laing Park. It starts at 7:05 p.m.