Chiefs Blow 7-1 Lead, Lose on Mather\'s Walk-Off
June 8, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Davenport, IAâ The Peoria Chiefs blew their largest lead of the season Wednesday night falling to the Swing of the Quad Cities 10-7 after leading 7-1. Former Chief Joe Mather's three run walk-off homer ended the game with two outs in the 9th. With the loss the Chiefs fall to 29-31 on the season and are now 4 ½ games behind division leading Wisconsin who was idle Wednesday.
Facing a Cardinals affiliate for the first time in more than a decade, the Chiefs jumped out to a big lead with runs in the 2nd and 4th. But all of that unraveled late in the game and was capped off in the 9th. Matt Lemanczyk walked to start the inning and was sacrificed to second before Jerry Blevins walked Mike Ferris with two outs. Blevins (0-4) started 3-0 on Mather before battling back for a full count and two foul balls that preceeded Mather's game winning blast.
The Chiefs opened the scoring with a pair of unearned runs in the 2nd inning against Swing starter Donnie Smith. Luis Montanez reached on a hit by pitch to start the inning and moved to second on a one out walk to Anthony Granato. Alberto Garcia grounded back to the pitcher but Smith threw wild of third allowing Montanez to score the first run. Alan Rick followed with a single to right scoring Granato for a 2-0 Peoria lead.
Peoria extended their league in the 4th by knocking Smith out and scoring against reliever Quinton Robertson. Rick drove in the first run of the inning and Eric Patterson knocked Smith out with a RBI single to give the Chiefs a 4-1 lead. Aaron Sisk drove home Sam Fuld and Montanez singled home a pair off Robertson to boost the lead to 7-1.
The Swing began their comeback against Chris Shaver and the Chiefs in the 5th inning. With one out Jake Mullinax walked and former Chiefs second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir singled. Juan Lucena drove home Mullinax and Hoffpauir scored on an error by Sisk to narrow the gap to 7-3.
With one out and one on in the 6th, Brandon Yarbrough doubled home Mike Ferris and knocked Shaver from the game. Nick Thompson made his Chiefs debut and retired the first batter before allowing back to back RBI singles to Hoffpauir and Lucena to cut the Chiefs lead to 7-6.
The Chiefs left the bases loaded in the 6th and 8th and took a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the 8th. With one out Mullinax singled up the middle and advanced to second on a single from Hoffpauir. Lucena pounded out his fourth hit of the night but Luis Montanez threw out Mullinax at the plate for the second out as Hoffpauir advanced to third and Lucena to second. Tim Layden uncorked a wild pitch allowing Hoffpauir to score the tying run as Lucena was thrown out at the plate trying to give the Swing the lead from second.
Pepsi Player of the Game
Luis Montanez (LF)- Montanez reached base in each of his first five plate appearances. He was hit by a pitch in the 2nd, walked in the 3rd, singled in a pair in the 4th, singled in the 6th and walked in the 8th. He finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. He also threw out a runner at the plate in the 8th inning.
Notes... This was the first game for the Chiefs against a Cardinals affiliate since 1994...Joe Cunningham, the Chiefs career wins leader for a manager, is now 1-0 against Peoria...Former Chiefs hurler Jaymie Torres pitched against Peoria a day after being named to the All-Star team...Patterson stole two bases for the third time this season...Sisk also stole two bases...The Chiefs play at home against Beloit on Thursday at 7:00...Jammsammich will perform a two hour concert following the game...Grant Johnson (NR) will make his professional debut for the Chiefs...He was the Cubs first pick last year in the 2nd round of Notre Dame...The game can be heard on 1350 WOAM and www.peoriachiefs.com.
Midwest League Stories from June 8, 2005
- Chiefs Blow 7-1 Lead, Lose on Mather's Walk-Off - Peoria Chiefs
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