Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs opened the second half of the season with a 4-2 win against the Cedar Rapids Kernels Thursday night at Dozer Park. The first-place Chiefs match their best mark from the first half, starting 1-0.
Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs opened the second half of the season with a 4-2 win against the Cedar Rapids Kernels Thursday night at Dozer Park. The first-place Chiefs match their best mark from the first half, starting 1-0.
The Chiefs struck first in the bottom of the second against Cedar Rapids starter Kody Funderburk. In his return to Peoria, Leandro Cedeno singled with one out and advanced to third on a double from Brandon Benson. Cedeno scored from third on a throwing error by Kernels center fielder Gilberto Celestino for the 1-0 lead.
Cedar Rapids took the lead in the top of the third against Chiefs starter Colin Schmid. Ricky De La Torre led off with a double and scored following a pair of singles to tie the game at one. A walk loaded the bases and Chris Williams hit a sac fly to score Jacob Pearson to give the Kernels a 2-1 lead.
Peoria tied the game in the bottom of the seventh against Kernels reliever Tyler Palm. Bryce Denton hit a leadoff homerun, his first of the season to tie the game at two in the bottom of the seventh.
The Chiefs regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth against Cedar Rapids reliever Carlos Suniaga. Juan Yepez reached on a throwing error by Kernels shortstop Wander Javier and Brendan Donovan followed with a two-run homerun, his fifth of the season, to put the Chiefs ahead 4-2.
Schmid took the no decision, pitching six innings allowing two runs on seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Sebastian Tabata (3-1) earned the win, pitching two shutout innings allowing only one walk and notching two strikeouts. Freddy Pacheco pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. Cole Aker pitched the final 1/3 of an inning striking out the final batter en route to his third save of the season.
The Chiefs continue their series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels Friday at 6:35 p.m. Promotions can be found on the team website or social media accounts. Peoria will start RH Michael Brettell (2-4, 4.50) against Cedar Rapids RH Luis Rijo (1-4, 3.05). The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:20 p.m. on the Peoria Chiefs Tune-In Page, which is free and also has a free app for smartphones and tablets. The game is also available on MiLB.tv to subscribers.
