Chiefs Drop Opener 7-3 to Quad Cities
April 9, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
PEORIA, IL - The Peoria Chiefs couldn't hold onto a 3-1 lead Thursday night and dropped the season opener 7-3 as the Quad Cities River Bandits scored the final six runs of the game in front of 2,905 fans. The loss drops the Chiefs to 0-1 on the season heading into game two of the three-game series at 7:00 p.m. Friday.
Chiefs starter Jack Flaherty pitched out of a jam in the first inning before allowing a run in the top of the third. Bandits infielder Kristian Trompiz led off the third with a double, moved to third on a sac bunt and scored on a wild pitch.
The Chiefs answered in the bottom of the third against Quad Cities started Chris Lee. Blake Drake reached on a dropped third strike and Darren Seferina single to right to put runners on the corners. Magneuris Sierra tied the game with a single to left and Seferina scored on a groundout by Danny Diekroeger. The Chiefs lead jumped to 3-1 when Nick Thompson singled home Sierra.
Flaherty's night was cut short as he left with an undisclosed injury while warming up for the fourth inning. Will Anderson took over on the hill and Quad Cities added a run on a double, single and sac fly. The River Bandits took the lead in the fifth against reliever Fernando Baez (0-1). Baez walked Bobby Boyd before an error by Oscar Mercado at shortstop put two on base. Derek Fisher walked to load the bases and a sac fly from Alex Hernandez tied the game. After another walk, the Bandits took the lead when Baez hit Jacob Nottingham with a pitch.
The Chiefs got nothing against Kevin Comer over the next four innings and Quad Cities expanded their lead with a two-run home run by Sean McMullen in the eighth. Zach Loraine surrendered another run in the ninth as Jamie Ritchie singled home Fisher for the final score of 7-3.
Flaherty allowed one run on two hits over three innings in the no-decision. He walked three and struck out three before leaving with an undisclosed injury. Anderson, who is scheduled to start Tuesday at Wisconsin, allowed one run on two hits over one inning with two strikeouts. Baez took the loss allowing two unearned runs on three walks and a hit batter in 2/3 of an inning. Blake McKnight did not allow a base runner and struck out two over 2 1/3 innings. Loraine allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over two innings while striking out one.
Notes: Seferina had the Chiefs first hit of the season while Sierra had the first RBIThe Chiefs are now 15-18 all time in season openers and 6-7 as a Cardinals affiliateThe Chiefs are 7-9 when opening a season at homeThe Chiefs are 0-4 in home openers against Quad Cities with losses in 1983, 2006 and 2012Peoria was 8-6 against Quad Cities last seasonChiefs pitchers walked seven and struck out nine Bandits hittersThe series continues Friday at 7:00 p.m. against Quad CitiesThe Chiefs will start LH Austin Gomber against Bandits LH Bryan RadziewskiThe broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:45 p.m., on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for a free app on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android. The broadcast is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the Tune-In Radio App.
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