Chiefs Walk Off Cougars To Start Playoffs
September 9, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL-The Peoria Chiefs got back-to-back intentional walks to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth before a Kenny Peoples-Walls walk-off base on balls gave them a 2-1 win in game one of the Midwest League Western Division semi-finals. The win, Peoria's first in the post-season since 2006, gives the Chiefs a chance to advance to the Western Division finals with a win in Kane County Thursday night.
The Chiefs started the scoring in the first against Cougars starter Ethan Elias. Oscar Mercado singled up the middle and scored on a double by Harrison Bader to give the Chiefs the 1-0 lead.
The Cougars tied the game in the fifth against Chiefs starter Jack Flaherty. Dawel Lugo led off wth a single, advanced to second on a deep fly ball to center and moved to third on a groundout. Lugo scored on a single by Victor Reyes to tie the game 1-1.
The Chiefs won the game in the ninth against Cougars righty Ryan Burr. Brian O'Keefe led off with a double and was replaced by pinch runner Derek Gibson. Gibson advanced to third on a balk and Nick Thompson and Steve Bean were intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Peoples-Walls drew a full-count bases-loaded walk to score Gibson with the 2-1 win.
Flaherty took a no-decision in his first career playoff start, going seven innings and allowing one run on five hits, striking out six. Steve Sabatino pitched two thirds of an inning, retiring the only two batters he faced. Jery Then retired the only batter he faced. Kyle Grana (1-0) got the win, pitching a perfect ninth inning, striking out two.
Notes: The Chiefs have four walk off postseason wins in franchise history and the last was also against Kane County in 2004...Of the other three, two were extra-inning home runs...The Chiefs are 7-2 in post-season games at Dozer Park and 11-5 in home playoff games all-time...Chiefs pitchers combined to retire the final 13 Cougars hitters after the Reyes game-tying single...The double by O'Keefe was the Chiefs first hit since the third inning...Thee of the Chiefs five hits were doubles...Mercado, who stole 50 bases in the regular season, had two singles and a steal Wednesday...Flaherty's quality start was his tenth of the season in 19 total starts, and the 66th quality start in 139 games by Chiefs pitchers in 2015...The playoff appearance is Peoria's first trip to the post season since 2009 and the Chiefs won their first playoff game since September 7, 2006 when they beat Beloit 6-1...The back-to-back intentional walks mark the first time two Chiefs hitters have been walked intentionally in the same game all season...Peoria won a game in their last at-bat after they were 13-11 in games won in the last at-bat during the regular season...Peoria earned their sixth win of the season when tied entering the ninth inning...The Chiefs and Cougars play game two of the best-of-three series Thursday night at 6:30 at Kane County...The pitching matchup features Peoria LH Austin Gomber (15-3, 2.67) against Kane County RH Brad Keller (8-9, 2.60)...The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:15 p.m., on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for a free app on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android...The broadcast is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the MiLB Inside the Park and Tune-In Radio Apps.
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