Chiefs Blow Three Run 8th Inning Lead, Lose 4-3
May 25, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Clinton, IA - The Peoria Chiefs bullpen which has been extremely reliable all season, faltered in the 8th inning Thursday night as the Chiefs blew a 3-0 lead and lost 4-3 to the Clinton Lumberkings. With the loss the Chiefs are now 26-19 and are 1 ½ out of first place.
The game began to unravel with one out in the 8th when reliever Scott Koerber (2-1) walked Matt Smith on a full count pitch. Jose Vallejo then singled to center and Smith scored when John Mayberry blooped a single to right. Freddie Thon followed with an RBI single to left and Truan Mehl gave Clinton their only lead of the game with a hard hit triple to right. The triple scored Mayberry and pinch runner Terry Blunt for a 4-3 Lumberkings lead.
The Chiefs never got the tying run on base in the 9th against Juan Carlos Garcia who picked up his first save of the year. The Chiefs had won four straight and had not allowed a blown save since May 7th.
Peoria took the lead in the 3rd inning against Clinton starter Omar Poveda (1-5). Kyle Reynolds led off with a single and scored easily on a double by Alberto Garcia. In the 4th, Jesus Valdez reached on an error, stole second and moved to third on a single by Ryan Norwood. Valdez scored to make it 2-0 on a double play off the bat of Mark Reed. The Chiefs extended the lead to 3-0 in the 6th when Norwood's sacrifice fly to right brought home Dylan Johnston.
Mitch Atkins pitched well enough to win, limiting the Lumberkings to three hits and two walks over seven innings. The righthander lowered his team leading ERA to 2.01 with seven shutout innings. He has been on the mound for four of the Chiefs eight blown saves this season and his record stays at 3-0.
Pepsi Player of the Game
Mitch Atkins (SP) - The Chiefs most consistent starter in 2006 deserved a better fate Thursday night after leaving with a 3-0 lead. Atkins struck out four and walked two while allowing three hits over seven shutout innings.
Notes... Jesus Valdez singled in the 6th inning and now has a 16 game hit streak, tied for 7th longest in franchise history...The Chiefs lead the league in runners caught stealing at 55 percent after Mark Reed threw out Matt Smith in the 4th inning...LH Donnie Veal (4-2) faces RH Juan Jimenez (1-0) Friday at 6:00 PM...The broadcast begins with the pre-game show on www.peoriachiefs.com at 5:45 PM.
Midwest League Stories from May 25, 2006
- Devil Rays Win and Gain Ground on First Place - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Kernels game televised live by Mediacom - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Garcia out duels Adenhart in rematch - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Lansing Drops Fort Wayne - Lansing Lugnuts
- Baisley, Lansford Give Cougars Eighth Straight Win - Kane County Cougars
- Garcia hurls eight innings of shutout ball, hands Adenhart first loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Snappers Lose Fifth Straight - Beloit Sky Carp
- Baisley blasts Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Sluggish Devil Rays offense shines against Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Mehl's Triple Leads Comeback Win - Clinton LumberKings
- Chiefs Blow Three Run 8th Inning Lead, Lose 4-3 - Peoria Chiefs
- Dayton takes series opener from South Bend with 3-2 win - Dayton Dragons
- Hawks bats remain sluggish - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Snappers Upcoming Home Games - Beloit Sky Carp
- Coffman Promoted to Bakersfield - Clinton LumberKings
- Hold the Peanuts! Whitecaps Host Fourth Annual Peanut Free Baseball Game - West Michigan Whitecaps
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
