Chiefs Fall to Whitecaps Wednesday

Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs fell behind early and lost to the West Michigan Whitecaps 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon. The loss ends a seven-game home win streak for the Chiefs and drops them to 11-12 with one game left in the series.

     The Whitecaps jumped out to an early lead against Chiefs starter Johan Oviedo. Leadoff batter Cole Peterson reached on a bunt single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and stole third. Jordan Pearce beat out an infield single to shortstop to put the visitors on top 1-0.
     Oviedo escaped a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the second but he wasn't as fortunate in the fourth. Luke Burch singled to left with the bags full and one out to drive in two runs for a 3-0 West Michigan lead.
     The Chiefs got on the board in the fourth inning against West Michigan starter Elvin Rodriguez. Julio Rodriguez clubbed his team-leading fourth home run of the season into the left-field berm for the 3-1 scoreline.
     Oviedo's day ended in the sixth inning with one on and one out. Reliever CJ Saylor struck out Alexis Garcia before two straight singles gave West Michigan a 4-1 lead as Burch added another RBI.
     The Chiefs used the longball again to get back in the game in the sixth inning. After a double play, Taylor Bryant drew a walk from Rodriguez. Nick Plummer launched a two-run homer to center field, his second of the season, to cut West Michigan's lead to 4-3.
     West Michigan scored the final run of the game in the ninth against reliever Thomas St. Clair. Brady Policelli drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a single by Pearce. A grounder by Reynaldo Rivera hit St. Clair in the foot and went to first baseman Yariel Gonzales for the out as Policelli scored for a 5-3 lead.
     Oviedo (1-2) took the loss as he allowed four runs on six hits and six walks over 5 1/3 innings while striking out two. Saylor allowed three hits over two shutout innings while striking out three. St. Clair allowed one run on one hit and one walk over 1 2/3 innings over three strikeouts.
Notes… Yepez who has reached base in 15 straight games and leads the MWL in average, slugging and OBP had the day off…The Chiefs are 3-3 in day games…Rodriguez has a RBI in five straight games…Plummer's home run went 414 feet, the longest hit at Dozer Park this season…Oviedo walked a career-high six batters and is tied for second in the MWL with 18 walks on the season…The Chiefs tied a season high hitting into three double plays…The series concludes Thursday at 6:30 p.m. as the Chiefs start RH Evan Guillory (2-1, 2.22) against Tigers 2016 first round pick RH Matt Manning (0-0, 4.70)…Thursday features five-year old Rocco Johnson, who has Cerebral Palsy, serving as a Chiefs coach during the day…Thursday is a Brewers Distributing Beer & Brats Thirsty Thursday with $2 12 ounce domestic cans and sodas, $3 16 ounce craft drafts, $3 margarita, $3 brats and $5 tickets for college students with a valid student ID…Thursday is also a Live Mas Taco Bell Thursday as fans can get a BOGO (limit 4 free tickets) by showing a receipt of a Taco Bell purchase in the last seven days…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:15 a.m. on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive and is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the Tune-In Radio App…The game is also available on MiLB.tv for subscribers.