LANSING, Mich. - Andrew Knizner lined a game-tying two-run double and Bryce Denton knocked a tie-breaking two-run homer in a pivotal, rainy sixth inning, rallying the Peoria Chiefs (10-13) past the Lansing Lugnuts (13-11), 8-6, on Tuesday evening at Cooley Law School Stadium.The game marked the start of 12 straight days
LANSING, Mich. - Andrew Knizner lined a game-tying two-run double and Bryce Denton knocked a tie-breaking two-run homer in a pivotal, rainy sixth inning, rallying the Peoria Chiefs (10-13) past the Lansing Lugnuts (13-11), 8-6, on Tuesday evening at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The game marked the start of 12 straight days of interdivision play in the Midwest League, pitting the Lugnuts' Eastern Division and the Chiefs' Western Division.
Lansing jumped in front immediately. Joshua Palacios led off the first inning with a single, J.B. Woodman placed down a bunt single and Bo Bichette blasted a three-run homer to right for a 3-0 lead.
Lugnuts starter Mike Ellenbest set a new career high with six strikeouts in five innings, allowing solely a second-inning run.
But in the sixth inning, with rain becoming a factor, the Chiefs put together a comeback against Griffin Glaude (Blown Save; Loss, 0-1). An Andrew Young infield pop landed amid the raindrops for a fluke single. Stefan Trosclair reached on an infield grounder to third, with a Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. throwing error moving both runners into scoring position. That brought up Knizner, who lasered a double to the left-field wall, knotting the score at 3-3. Three batters later, Denton delivered his first home run of the year to left, giving the Chiefs a 5-3 lead.
The Lugnuts narrowed the deficit to one run in the seventh, thanks to an Edward Olivares triple and a Woodman RBI grounder.
Peoria added three important insurance runs in the ninth, offsetting a two-run Nuts rally in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Chiefs starter Jordan Hicks(Win, 4-0) tossed six innings, limiting the Lugnuts to solely three runs on six hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
Lansing was led offensively by Olivares, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, and Palacios who collected two hits, a walk, a run scored and an RBI. Guerrero went 0-for-3 but was hit by a pitch to extend his on-base streak to 21 games.
Lugnuts designated hitter Jake Thomas , the Minor Leagues' leader in on-base percentage, added to his impressive start with two walks and a single in four plate appearances.
Wednesday is a Grand Slam School Day at Cooley Law School Stadium, with first pitch set for 10:35 a.m. between Lansing right-hander Andy Ravel (2-0, 5.87) and Peoria right-hander Ronnie Williams (1-1, 7.27). Tickets may be purchased at the stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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