Chiefs Bullpen Blows Another Lead in Game 1 Loss
Published on April 23, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Grand Chute, WI - The Peoria Chiefs blew another late lead and gift-wrapped game one for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a 7-6 loss in game one of a doubleheader Thursday night. The loss drops the Chiefs to 1-4 on the road trip and 5-6 overall this season.
The Chiefs wasted little time in grabbing the lead against Rattlers starter Efrain Nieves. With one out in the top of the first Josh Harrison tripled to left-center. Rebel Ridling followed with a single to left to drive in his 11th run of the season and put the Chiefs on top 1-0.
The lead would be short-lived as Wisconsin scored without a hit against Chris Archer in the bottom of the first. Archer walked the first two batters in Cutter Dykstra and John Delaney. After a flyout to right by Brett Lawrie, Dykstra and Delaney pulled off a double steal. The move worked as Dykstra scored easily on a groundout to second by Brock Kjeldgaard to tie the game.
Peoria continued the run scoring in the top of the second with a two-out rally. Nelson Perez got things started with a single back up the middle and Kyler Burke followed with a double off the left fielders glove to put two in scoring position. David Macias capitalized with a single to center to score both runners for a 3-1 Chiefs lead.
Wisconsin cut the lead to one with a run in the bottom of the third. Dykstra singled up the middle with one out and was on the move when Delaney doubled to right. Dykstra was able to score on the play when Perez overran the ball in right as Wisconsin cut the Chiefs lead to 3-2.
The Chiefs added to their lead and knocked Nieves from the game in the fifth. Burke led off with another double and moved to third on a groundout. Pinch-runner Tony Campana scored from third on a single by Harrison, but Wisconsin threw Harrison out at second on the play. Ridling send Nieves to the showers with a towering solo homer down the right-field line. The first homer of the season for Ridling gave the Chiefs a 5-2 lead.
The wheels fell off for Peoria in the bottom of the fifth when Jose Pina relieved Archer. Michael Marseco led off with a four pitch walk and scored on a double by Dykstra. Pina got the quick hook as the Chiefs turned to Josh Whitlock. Delaney greeted Whitlock with a single to put runners on the corner. Brett Lawrie delivered a double to left to score Dykstra. Wisconsin tied the game on the same play when Lake cut off the throw from left field and made an ill-advised and errant throw to second allowing Delaney to score and Lawrie to advance to third. After a strikeout the Rattlers took the lead when Corey Kemp grounded out to Whitlock and Lawrie scored.
Wisconsin added an insurance run in the sixth. Sean McCraw led off with a double to right and moved to third when Perez fumbled the ball before he could get it back in. After a pair of outs Dykstra made it 7-5 with a single to left off Whitlock.
The Chiefs rallied in the seventh but fell short against reliever Pedro Lambertus. Macias singled to left with one out and advanced to third on a pinch-hit double by Cliff Andersen. Ridling hit a grounder to second and Macias scored but Andersen was thrown out at third on the play. With the tying run at first, Josh Vitters flew out to center to end the game.
Archer took a no-decision after allowing two runs on three hits over four innings. The righthander walked four and did not record a strikeout. Pina did not record an out and was charged with two runs on a hit and a walk. Whitlock was charged with a blown save and took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits over two innings with two strikeouts.
Midwest League Stories from April 23, 2009
- Chiefs Lose Game Two 8-7 on Late Rattler Homer - Peoria Chiefs
- Chiefs Bullpen Blows Another Lead in Game 1 Loss - Peoria Chiefs
- Big first inning not enough for Bandits - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Offensive surge, pitching catapult 'Caps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Silver Hawks Sweep Twinbill From Lugnuts: 9-5, 5-4 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Castillo's big fly rallies Kernels past Clinton, 8-5 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Lawrie launches Rattlers to sweep - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Slugfest Win Give Loons Four Straight - Great Lakes Loons
- Hawks Sweep Thrilling Doubleheader - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Loons Shutout Dragons 10-0 - Dayton Dragons
- Rattlers Rally To Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Silver Hawks to Switch to WPNT 1620 AM - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Weekend Ticket Offer + Sweet Suite Deal! - Peoria Chiefs
- Three Magic Words - Kane County Cougars
- Cougars Pounce Burlington - Kane County Cougars
- Sugar Star At Ballpark Saturday - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons GameDay - Dayton Dragons
- Angels top pitching prospects join Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- April 29 Game Moved To 4:00 - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Miller Park Roof To Open As Summer-Like Temps Climb - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
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.
