Gorman Collects Four Hits in 10-4 Loss

Cedar Rapids, IA - Despite four hits from first round pick Nolan Gorman, the Peoria Chiefs fell to 1-1 on the young season with a 10-4 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Friday night. The Chiefs return home after the series split and host the Beloit Snappers Saturday in the season opener.

    Gorman's first hit of the night was a one-out opposite field double that one-hopped the wall in the top of the first. He moved to third on a single by Brady Whalen but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning on an 8-2 double play off the bat of Brendan Donovan.
    Cedar Rapids got on the board first against Chiefs starter Alvaro Seijas. After a caught stealing for the second out, Seijas walked Yunior Severino and Chris Williams in the first inning. Ben Rodriguez put the hosts on top 1-0 with a single to center to score Severino.
    The Chiefs got even against Jordan Balazovic in the third inning. Delvin Perez singled with one out and Gorman tripled him home to tie the game 1-1.
     The game wasn't tied long as the Kernels regained the lead against Seijas. Gilberto Celestino drew a leadoff walk, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. With the infield drawn in, Celestino scored on a sacrifice fly to shortstop as Perez made a sliding over-the-shoulder catch in left field. With two on base, Rodriguez singled home Severino for a 3-1 lead. Franyel Casadilla took over for Seijas and got out of the inning with the Chiefs down two.
     Cedar Rapids put the game out of reach in the fifth inning. Rodriguez delivered another RBI single before two more scored against Casadailla. Jim Voyles took over on the mound and the Chiefs got an out at the plate on a fielders' choice but the Kernels added two more for an 8-1 lead.
     The Chiefs top of the order came through against reliever Zach Neff in the sixth. Brandon Riley greeted the lefty with a single to right and Gorman's third hit of the game was a RBI double down the right-field line. Leandro Cedeno's grounder so shortstop plated Gorman with one out to cut the Kernels lead to 8-3.
     With the Chiefs down 10-3, Gorman collected his fourth hit of the game with a single to center in the eighth inning. Lars Nootbaar capped the scoring for the Chiefs with a solo home run to right in the ninth.
     Seijas (0-1) took the loss as he allowed three runs on four hits and four walks over 2 1/3 innings while striking out two. Casadilla allowed five runs on five hits over two innings as he walked one and struck out three. Voyles surrendered two runs on three hits over 1 2/3 innings while walking two and striking out two. Fabian Blanco threw a hitless inning while walking one. Edgar Escobar allowed one hit and walked one in his shutout inning.
Notes...The Chiefs lost the second game last year as well after winning the opener in Burlington… This is the first time since 2015 the Chiefs have played the first two games of the season without a rain/cold out…Seijas led the MWL in caught stealing percentage by a pitcher last year at 77.8 % and is 1-1 this season…Gorman had one triple last season, with Johnson City…He tied his career high from last August 4 with four hits…Cedeno had the Chiefs first outfield assist of the season…Cedeno and Gorman both have RBI in each of the first two games…The Chiefs return to Peoria for the home opener, Saturday at 6:35 p.m. against the Beloit Snappers…The Chiefs will recognize and honor the 7 Millionth Fan in team history with a prize pack that includes tickets, a team signed bat, a replica jersey, a suite and a voucher from Allegiant Airlines…The first 2500 fans 13 and older get a 2019 Chiefs magnet schedule courtesy of Long John Silver's…The Morton Lady Potters girls basketball team will be honored for winning their fourth Class 3A State Championship over the last five years…The Chiefs will start RH Cody Aker (0-0, 0.00) against Beloit RH Bryce Conley (0-0, 0.00). 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 will also be available to watch on MiLB.TV for subscribers.