It started bad for the Moose Jaw Miller Express and didn't get much better on Friday night.

The Millers lost for the first time this season as they gave up 12 runs in the first inning and fell 23-3 to the Medicine Hat Mavericks at Athletic Park.

The loss is the only blemish so far for Moose Jaw, who are now 6-1 in the Western Major Baseball League.

Medicine Hat send 17 hitters to the plate as they collected 12 hits and scored 12 runs in the opening inning. Millers starting pitcher Gunner Pickett was tagged with 11 earned runs on 12 hits and one walk in 1/3 of an inning.

Nick Falco would come on after that for the Millers, getting the final two outs of the first inning and then allowing five runs on five hits with two walks and one strike out over next two innings.

The Mavericks would lead 12-0 after the first inning, 17-0 after three and 22-0 after four.

Medicine Hat had eight players collect multiple hits on the night, led by shortstop Carson Johnson, who went 4-for-5 with a walk and three runs scored. Lead-off hitter David Salguerio had a huge game as he went 2-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and six RBI. DH Colton Wright also homered as he went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and five RBI.

Medicine Hat starter Jumpei Akanuma threw five shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.

Moose Jaw finally got on the board in the eighth inning. Second baseman Scott Platt, who was 2-for-5 on the night, scored on a wild pitch after smacking a one-out double. 

A single by catcher Ty Barclay cashed in two more runs to make it 23-3 after eight innings.

Platt pitched the final four innings for the Millers, holding the Mavericks to just one run on five hits with one strikeout.

Moose Jaw will look to rebound when they meet the Mavericks for a rematch on Saturday night at Athletic Park. First pitch is at 7 p.m.