Chiefs Fall in Extras to Cedar Rapids

Peoria, IL - Despite scoring seven runs over the final three innings, the Peoria Chiefs fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels 8-7 in ten innings Saturday night. The loss, their third in a row, drops the Chiefs to 26-34 on the season as they prepare for a doubleheader Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

  Cedar Rapids drew first blood in the top of the fourth against Chiefs starter Diego Cordero. An error with two outs put a runner at second and a single scored the first run of the game for the Kernels. They added another run in the top of the fifth for the 2-0 lead.
     The Chiefs built momentum as they escaped danger in the top of the seventh. After the Kernels loaded the bases with one out, Edgar Escobar induced a flyball double play to end the inning and keep the Chiefs in the game trailing 2-0.
     Peoria broke through in the bottom of the eighth against Cedar Rapids reliever Brian Rapp. Josh Shaw was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Brandon Benson singled to put runners on first and second. A wild pitch put runners on second and third before Wadye Ynfante walked to load the bases. Brendan Donovan walked to put the Chiefs on the board and cut the deficit to 2-1. Nolan Gorman tied the game at two with a sac fly to the warning track in deep center-field. Brady Whalen walked to reload the bases and Ivan Herrera hit a two-run single to give the Chiefs their first lead of the game, 4-2.
     The Kernels regained the lead in the top of the ninth against Chiefs reliever Thomas St. Clair. With runners at the corners and two outs, a single cut the deficit to 4-3 before Wander Javier hit a grand slam to put the Kernels on top 7-4.
     Peoria kept battling and re-tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. Benson and Donovan walked, and both scored on a two-out double from Delvin Perez to bring the Chiefs back to within one, 7-6. Down to his final strike, Gorman followed with a triple off the top of the left-center field wall to plate Perez and tie the game at seven.
     Cedar Rapids took the lead in the top of the tenth inning against Chiefs reliever Parker Kelly. With a runner at third and one out, Andrew Bechtold poked a single up the middle to put the Kernels ahead 8-7.
     Cordero took the no decision, pitching 6 1/3 innings allowing two runs, one earned run on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Escobar pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings walking one and striking out one. St. Clair pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing five runs on three hits with two walks and one strikeout. Parker Kelly (0-1) took his first loss of the season, pitching 1 1/3 innings allowing one unearned run on two hits with one strikeout.
     The Chiefs continue their series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels with a doubleheader Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Promotions can be found on the team website or social media accounts. Peoria will start LH Colin Schmid (3-1, 3.52) against Cedar Rapids RH Andrew Cabezas (1-5, 5.57) in game one but game two starters have not been announced. The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 12:50 p.m. on the Peoria Chiefs Tune-In Page, which is free and also has a free app for smartphones and tablets.