MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Suffer Worst Loss Since 2006 in 14-1 Thumping

Published on May 18, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


Grand Chute, WI - The Peoria Chiefs were one-hit and blown out 14-1 by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in the opening game of a three-game series Tuesday night. The loss, their worst since a 15-2 loss to Wisconsin in July 2006, drops the Chiefs to 22-17 on the season and 3-2 on this season-long 11-game road trip. The game marks the second time this season the Chiefs were one-hit on the road and fifth time giving up ten or more runs.

With the game scoreless in the second inning the Rattlers pounced on Chiefs starter Rob Whitenack with a two-out rally. Chris Dennis doubled to left and scored on a single by Michael Marseco. Eric Miller reached on a bunt single and Franklin Romero Jr. was hit by a pitch to load the bases. D'Vontrey Richardson lifted an inning-ending flyball into right-center but Francisco Guzman and Greg Rohan looked at each other as the ball fell in for a two-run single. Richardson tried to advance to second on the play and was thrown out by Guzman who finally recovered the ball to end the frame with the Chiefs down 3-0.

Wisconsin picked up where they left off in the bottom of the third against Whitenack. Cutter Dykstra, son of former Mets and Phillies outfielder Len, singled to start the frame. Scooter Gennett singled to right and Khris Davis walked to load the bases before Cameron Garfield made it 4-0 with a sacrifice fly. Dennis doubled home two more and scored on a wild pitch for a 7-0 Rattlers lead.

The Rattlers continued to punish Whitenack in the fourth as Dykstra walked with two down and Gennett singled. Davis doubled home two more and Garfield singled to put runners on the corners. Larry Suarez relieved Whitenack and a fielding error by Justin Bour at first base scored Davis for a 10-0 Rattlers lead.

Wisconsin finished the thumping in the bottom of the seventh against reliever Yohan Gonzalez. With two on and two out Romero reached on a dropped third strike to load the bases. Peter Fatse doubled to right-center past a diving Rohan to clear the bases for a 13-0 lead. Fatse scored the Rattlers final run when Guzman dropped a pop up in center for a 14-0 margin.

The Chiefs, who got their only hit with a double by Nelson Perez to start the third, finally scratched across an unearned run in the ninth. Matt Cerda was hit by Del Howell and Rohan reached on an error. Bour walked to load the bases and after Jonathon Mota popped out in foul territory, Perez got the Chiefs on the board with a sac fly to right. Charles Thomas lined out to end the game with two on.

Whitenack (2-3) allowed ten runs for the second straight start while giving up 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings. Nine of the runs were earned as Whitenack walked two and struck out three. Larry Suarez threw 2 1/3 shutout innings without allowing a hit while striking out two. Gonzalez allowed four runs, three earned on two hits and a walk in one inning. Jordan Latham threw a perfect inning with a strikeout.

Nick Bucci (2-1) picked up the win for Wisconsin while hurling six innings of one-hit shutout baseball. He struck out three and walked three. Del Howell picked up a three-inning save while allowing an unearned run on two walks and a hit batter.

Casey's General Store Player of the Game - Larry Suarez (RHP) - Suarez threw 1 2/3 hitless innings in the middle of the Chiefs most lopsided loss in five years. He struck out two and did not allow a run or walk.

Notes... The final margin tied the Chiefs worst loss since a 15-2 loss vs. Wisconsin on July 12, 2006...The worst loss in franchise history was a 21-2 loss at Kane County on July 4, 2005...The Chiefs are 5-17 when the opponent scores first this season...Peoria is 0-8 when allowing more than seven runs in a game this season...The Chiefs have allowed more than ten in a game five times in their last eight losses...The last time Wisconsin scored 14 runs was exactly one year ago as they beat Cedar Rapids 14-7 on May 18, 2009...Whitenack has allowed 20 runs, 16 earned, on 23 hits in his last two starts while hurling 8 1/3 innings...His ERA in those two losses has jumped from 4.61 to 7.57...Guzman leads the Chiefs with four outfield assists...The Chiefs were also one-hit on April 25 at Quad Cities in a seven-inning finale of a double header...The Chiefs are 9-4 in the first game of a series this season with a 4-3 mark on the road...The three-game series continues on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. as the Chiefs send RH Nick Struck (2-4, 3.63) to the hill against Rattlers RH Damon Krestalude (1-2, 3.86)...Brewers OF Carlos Gomez will rehab for the Rattlers and is expected to play six innings as he works his way back from a rotator cuff injury...RH Jonathan Nagel (0-2, 5.27) is expected to piggyback with Struck and throw out of the bullpen...The broadcast can be heard starting with the pregame show at 11:50 a.m. on 96.5 ESPN and www.peoriachiefs.com.

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