Bullpen Blows Another Lead as Chiefs Lose, 8-7
Published on July 8, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs led throughout the game on Thursday night but the bullpen allowed four ninth inning runs and the tying run was left in scoring position, losing to the Kane County Cougars by the score of 8-7. The loss drops the Chiefs to 4-9 on the second half of the season and 42-40 overall.
The Chiefs got on the board first in the bottom of the first off starter Murphy Smith. Hak-Ju Lee reached safely on a fielding error by second baseman Conner Crumbliss. Logan Watkins doubled to score Lee and advanced to third on a Greg Rohan fly out. DJ Fitzgerald brought Watkins home thanks to a fielding error by shortstop Mike Gilmartin to give the Chiefs a 2-0 lead.
The Cougars got one back in the fourth off starter Su-Min Jung. Crumbliss walked and advanced to third on an Anthony Aliotti single. Rashun Dixon grounded into a double play to bring Crumbliss home to make it 2-1.
The Chiefs added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth thanks to more poor defense by the Cougars. Fitzgerald led off with a double and Jae-Hoon Ha reached on an infield single that did not allow Fitzgerald to advance. Nelson Perez grounded into a fielders' choice but reached safely thanks to a throwing error by Crumbliss that allowed Fitzgerald to score and put runners on second and third. Luis Flores hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Ha before Charles Thomas hit a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1.
The Cougars got right back into the game with three runs of their own in the fifth inning. Myrio Richard led off with a single and advanced to third on an error by Thomas on a Jose Crisotomo sacrifice bunt. Leonardo Gil tripled to drive in both runs and scored on a Juan Nunez single to make it 5-4 Chiefs.
The Chiefs scored again in the bottom of the fifth against Smith. Lee was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Watkins. Rohan singled to score Lee and make it 6-4, giving Rohan 52 RBI.
The Chiefs bullpen imploded in the ninth to give the Cougars the lead. Jordan Latham walked the bases loaded with no outs before striking out the next two batters. He then walked Tyreace House to bring in a run and make it 6-5. The Chiefs brought in Ronny Morla, and Crumbliss doubled to right-center to clear the bases and give Kane County a 8-6 lead.
The Chiefs tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth but fell just short against Cougars closer Jose Guzman. With one out, Lee walked and advanced to second when Watkins grounded out. Rohan singled to drive in Lee and make it 8-7. Fitzgerald singled to put the tying run in scoring position with two outs, but Ha grounded out to third base for the final out. Jung pitched five innings and gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits while walking two and striking out three. Larry Suarez pitched two shutout innings and did not allow a hit while walking one and striking out two. Steven Grife pitched one perfect inning and struck out two. Latham (0-2) pitched 2/3 of an inning and gave up four runs on no hits, four walks, and two strikeouts. Morla pitched the final third of an inning and gave up one hit while striking out one batter. Casey's General Store Player of the Game - Greg Rohan (1B) -Rohan went 2-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs in the loss. It was his team-leading 15th multi-RBI game this season.
Notes... Thursday was the second time the Chiefs have given up four runs in the ninth inning this homestand, they also gave up four in the ninth on July 4 in a 5-3 loss to Clinton...The Chiefs went from July 2006 to April 2010 withou blowing a ninth inning lead, they have lost six games this season with a lead after eight...Seven of the Chiefs' nine blown saves have come at home...Two of the last three blown saves this season have come with Jung in position for the win...Thursday was the longest nine-inning game of the season, taking three hours and 22 minutes, the previous longest game was three hours and 10 minutes at Kane County on May 7...Lee scored three times Thursday, tied for the most this season...Watkins had his team-leading 10th sacrifice on Thursday...Rohan extended his hitting streak to nine games, the longest active streak for the Chiefs...The loss was the first at home for the Chiefs against Kane County, making them 4-1 on the season...The last Chief before Latham to attempt to record saves for the team on back-to-back days was Chris Huseby, who recorded consecutive saves on June 19 and 20 last season...Latham is now 11 for 14 on save attempts...Crumbliss had two total errors at second base through 66 games played before Thursday, when he had two in the first four innings...Rohan had his team-leading 15th multi-RBI game Thursday...Rohan leads the team with 53 RBI...The two teams finish the series Friday at 6:30 p.m...The Chiefs will pitch RH Nick Struck (2-8, 4.09) against Kane County LH Justin Marks (2-10, 5.44)...Friday's game will feature post-game Fireworks...Friday is FANomenal Friday-British Invasion Night...The broadcast can be heard starting with the pregame show at 6:15 p.m. on 96.5 ESPN and www.peoriachiefs.com.
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