Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs held on again to beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2 in the middle game of a three-game series on Thursday night as Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong went 0-for-3 with a walk in his rehab appearance. The Chiefs improved to 24-14 in the second
Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs held on again to beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2 in the middle game of a three-game series on Thursday night as Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong went 0-for-3 with a walk in his rehab appearance. The Chiefs improved to 24-14 in the second half and 63-45 overall with the series finale set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
An unearned run helped the Kernels jump out to an early lead in the top of the first against Chiefs starter Jake Dahlberg. Jose Miranda grounded a two-out single to right field and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ryan Jeffers singled up the middle to score Miranda for a 1-0 advantage.
The Chiefs answered quickly in the bottom of the first inning on Kernels starter Randy Dobnak. Elehuris Montero reached on a fielding error by Cedar Rapids third baseman Andrew Bechtold with two outs. Zach Kirtley doubled home Montero off the wall in left center to tie the game 1-1.
Peoria moved ahead in the bottom of the third inning. Luken Baker led off with a single and moved to second on a groundout by Montero followed by a Kirtley walk to put two runners on. Wood Myers doubled to left center to plate Baker and Kirtley for a 3-1 lead.
The Kernels answered in the top of the fifth inning following a leadoff infield single by Ariel Montesino. Gabriel Maciel singled Montesino to third but Maciel was thrown out trying to steal second base. With one out, Baddoo drove in Montesino on a sacrifice fly to right field to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Dahlberg (1-0) earned the win pitching seven innings allowing two runs on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Zach Prendergast threw one scoreless inning allowing one hit with no walks and no strikeouts. Fabian Blanco earned his seventh save of the season throwing a scoreless ninth inning allowing one hit with no walks and two strikeouts.
Notes… Montero has a six-game hit streak but saw his five-game doubles streak snapped...Wong became the seventh player to rehab in Peoria twice in his career, the first since Carlos Zambrano in 2009 and 2011...Dahlberg made his Midwest League debut and tied his career high with seven innings pitched...He is the first left-handed pitcher to start for the Chiefs this season...Blanco leads the team with 34 appearances...He tied Kodi Whitley for the team high in saves with seven...Myers made his first start in the outfield this season...The Chiefs starting pitcher has gone at least five innings in 21 straight games…After throwing out Maciel in the top of the fifth, Rodriguez has thrown out 48.5 percent (32-for-66) of runners trying to steal...The Chiefs have played in four straight one-run games and are 22-13 in one-run games this season...The series concludes on Friday at 7:00 p.m. against Cedar Rapids with post-game fireworks presented by CEFCU...Friday is Nick Jr. Night featuring character appearances by Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol...The Chiefs will wear Paw Patrol themed jerseys that will auctioned off during the game with the proceeds going to the Children's Home...The Chiefs will start RH Johan Oviedo (7-7, 5.09) against Kernels RH Blayne Enlow (2-3, 3.28)…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:45 p.m. on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive and is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network on the Tune-In Radio App...The game is available on MiLB.tv for subscribers.
