MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Drop Game One 6-2

May 1, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


Eastlake, OH - The Peoria Chiefs left the bases loaded twice and allowed four runs in the sixth inning in a 6-2 loss in game one of Sunday's double header to the Lake County Captains. The Chiefs are now 9-13 on the season heading into the nightcap.

The Chiefs fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning as the Captains shortstop Willi Castro slugged a solo home run to right field on a full count with one out. The homer, off Junior Fernandez, was the first allowed by any Chiefs pitcher since April 16.

Lake County doubled their lead in the third inning with an unearned run. Ka'ai Tom walked with two outs and Castro struck out swinging but was safe at first on a passed ball by Chris Chinea. With two on and two outs, Tyler Krieger made the Chiefs pay with a RBI single to left for a 2-0 Lake County lead.

The Chiefs finally got on the board and knocked out Sam Hentges in the fifth inning. Chris Chinea led off with a walk and he scored from first with two outs on a double to the left-field wall by Leo Pina. Craig Aikin walked and Dominic DeMasi came in out of the Captains bullpen. He walked Eli Alvarez to load the bases before Sam Haggerty made a diving play at second base to take a hit away from Edmundo Sosa and end the inning with the Chiefs down 2-1. The Chiefs had first and second with nobody out and the bases loaded with two outs in the sixth but didn't score against DeMasi.

Lake County put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth. Krieger tripled to center off Fernandez to start the inning and Tyler Bray came in out of the Peoria bullpen. Lake County went on top 3-1 on a RBI groundout from Martin Cervenka before Connor Marabell doubled to left. Anthony Miller reached on an error before Haggerty and Yonathan Mendoza delivered consecutive run-scoring singles. Bobby Ison put the Captains on top 6-1 with a single to center. Luke Harrison replaced Bray and after a walk loaded the bases, he got an inning-ending double play.

The Chiefs scored the final run of the game in the top of the seventh against reliever Yoiber Marquina. Aikin walked and moved to second on a groundout before taking third on a wild pitch. Sosa walked and Aikin scored on a sacrifice fly by Magneuris Sierra the cut the deficit to 6-2.

Fernandez (2-2) took the loss allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits over five innings plus a batter in the sixth. The righty struck out seven and walked two. Bray allowed three runs, two earned on four hits in just 1/3 of an inning. Harrison issued a walk and induced a double play while facing two batters.

Notes: Starting pitchers have gone at least five innings in all 23 games...The Chiefs had gone 112 innings without allowing a home run since Carlos Belonis of Wisconsin homered in the seventh inning on April 16 in Wisconsin, 12 games ago...Fernandez had not allowed a home run in 79 innings of his pro career...He is now in the top five in the Midwest League with 26 innings pitched...Fernandez had his first pickoff of the season when he nabbed Connor Marabell at first base in the second inning...The Chiefs were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position...Peoria is just 1-4 on the roadtrip...The Chiefs are 4-for-26 with the bases loaded this season...Game two will start at approximately 3:50 p.m. Eastern as RHP Brennan Leitao (1-1, 1.80) faces Lake County RH Brock Hartson (1-0, 3.60).

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