Chiefs Drop Opener 2-0 Thursday Night
Published on April 3, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Burlington, IA - The Peoria Chiefs collected just two hits and allowed a pair of late runs in a 2-0 Opening Day loss against the Burlington Bees on Thursday night. The loss puts the Chiefs at 0-1 on the season at the start of a four-game road trip.
The Chiefs threatened in each of the first two innings against Bees starter Daniel Gutierrez but came up empty. Marwin Gonzalez led off the game with a sharp single but was left at third base as Gutierrez retired Josh Donaldson to end the inning. A walk and hit batter helped the Chiefs to load the bases with two outs in the second inning. But again, the Chiefs came up empty as Gutierrez retired Gonzalez on a flyout to center.
The Bees never really threatened against Chiefs starter Ryan Acosta through three innings. Acosta allowed just two hits over his three innings of work before giving way to Craig Muschko. Muschko allowed a lead off double in the fifth inning before striking out three straight Bees hitters to end the threat.
With the game still tied 0-0, Dylan Johnston reached on a one-out error in the seventh and stole second base to get into scoring position. Johnston was caught trying to steal third by Peoria native Ryan Eigsti to end the inning as Cliff Andersen struck out.
Burlington finally go on the board in the seventh against the Chiefs bullpen. Mike Moustakas, the second overall pick in last June's draft, led off the inning with a broken-bat single to left. After a fielders choice, Jason Taylor stole second and Jordan Latham walked Clint Robinson. Another fielders choice put runners on the corners with two outs for Antonio Jimenez. On a full-count pitch, Jimenez delivered a broken-bat 30-foot single that brought home Taylor with the game's first run. Latham recovered to strike out Eigsti and end the inning with the Chiefs down 1-0.
Burlington added an important insurance run in the eighth inning. Adrian Ortiz led off with a single and moved to second on a walk to Alwin Perez. A deep flyball to left sent Ortiz to third and Dustin Sasser replaced Latham on the mound for the Chiefs. With runners on the corners, Sasser's pick off throw to first got away from Jovan Rosa and Ortiz scored for a 2-0 Bees lead. The Chiefs then went in order in the ninth against Anthony Bradley who picked up the win for Burlington.
The Chiefs used four pitchers who combined to allow just two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks. They struck out eight Bees hitters as Latham took the first loss of the season. The two Bees pitchers struck out 10 Chiefs hitters and allowed just two hits while walking three.
Player of the Game - Craig Muschko (RHP) - The second pitcher into the game for the Chiefs, Muschko tied his career highs for innings pitched (3) and strikeouts (5). Muschko allowed just one hit while holding the Bees scoreless over three innings.
Notes...The Chiefs have won back to back openers for just twice in franchise history: 1994-95 and 2002-03...Peoria was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position...The Chiefs and Bees will meet 16 times this season after playing just 12 times last year...Peoria took all six matchups in Burlington back in 2006 before splitting the four games in Iowa last season...The Chiefs have more wins against the Bees (191) than any other MWL team with Quad Cities next (170)...Peoria committed two errors in the game and Drew Rundle made a diving catch in centerfield early in the game...The four-game commuter series continues Friday night at 6:30 when the Chiefs send Korean RH Dae-Eun Rhee (0-0, 0.00) to the mound in his professional debut against RH Ed Cegarra (0-0, 0.00)...The pregame show begins on 1350 WOAM and www.peoriachiefs.com at 6:15 pm.
Midwest League Stories from April 3, 2008
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