The Weyburn Beavers had their one-run lead over the Medicine Hat Mavericks evaporate in the bottom of the ninth inning Monday night, as they fell 8-7 for their second loss in a row on their Alberta road swing. The Beavers still hold a 2 ½ game edge over the Regina Red Sox for first in the East Division, as they finish the Alberta portion of their road swing Tuesday night back in Medicine Hat.

The Beavers jumped out to an early lead against the league’s top team, leading 5-0 after the top of the third inning.

The scoring began in the second inning. A lack of control from the Mavericks starting pitcher Jared Libke resulted in two runs coming across the plate thanks to walks and wild pitches.

Felix Correa then drove in a run with a single.

In the top of the third, a single from Nolan Machibroda cashed in Keaton Greenwalt from second, and the Beavers had their lead.

In the bottom of the third, the Mavericks finally scored on Beavers starting pitcher Connor DiNaro. David Vilches scored with a home run to start the inning when Zack Gray drove in two runs later in the inning.

Weyburn added to the lead in the fourth, as the Mavericks went to a new arm, with Junior Pimental coming on for Libke. The scoring kept up, though, with a wild pitch leading to Anthony Galindo crossing the plate. A sacrifice fly from Correa also cashed in Luke Lubinieki.

Medicine Hat closed the game in the bottom of the fifth, making it 7-4, with a run scored on a fielder’s choice. Zack Gray then smacked a home run in the bottom of the sixth, closing the deficit to 7-5.

The Mavericks kept plugging along and finally were able to score on Chase Thometz, who came on to relieve Shandon Herrera in the eighth inning. Thometz gave up a single with scored Louie Canjura, making it 7-6.

The Beavers weren’t able to pad the lead in the top of the ninth, so closer Eric Evans came out for the bottom of the inning.

The inning wasn’t the performance Evans was hoping for, though. The bases became loaded, and Gray notched his fourth and fifth RBI of the night with a single, pushing the Mavericks up for the win.

The two teams will meet again in Medicine Hat. The Beavers will then close out their road swing with games in Melville Thursday and Swift Current Friday.