Chiefs Erase 5-2 Deficit, Win in 9th
Published on April 10, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL -The Peoria Chiefs put together an improbable ninth inning comeback to defeat the Beloit Snappers 6-5 in the final game of a four-game series on Thursday night at O'Brien Field.
Trailing 5-2 entering the ninth inning, Nate Samson was hit by a pitch, and Marwin Gonzalez drew a walk from Snappers' closer Blair Erickson. With two on, Marquez Smith delivered a three-run homer to left-center to tie the game 5-5. Josh Donaldson lined the very next pitch just over the left-field wall to win the game 6-5.
The Chiefs fell behind for the fourth straight game in the series after the Snappers got to starter Chris Siegfried in the first. With one out, Steve Singleton lined a single to right, and Garrett Olson also singled to right with a hit-and-run on to put runners at the corners with one out. Deibinson Romero hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Singleton for the game's first run. Peoria did not waste time getting back in the game against Beloit starter Michael McCardell. Donaldson reached on a two base throwing error, followed by a Blake Lalli base hit to give the Chiefs two men on with no outs. Jovan Rosa then delivered an RBI single to score Donaldson and tie the game 1-1. The Chiefs loaded the bases in the inning but could not push across a go-ahead run.
Beloit regained the lead in the fourth inning after a miscue by the Chiefs defense. Ramon Santana and Ozzie Lewis both singled to give the Snappers two men on with no outs. Jair Fernandez hit a ball that short-hopped Nate Samson at second base, allowing Santana to score to make it 2-1.
The Chiefs defense helped Beloit open up the contest in the top of the seventh against reliever Jordan Latham. After Latham sent the side down in order in the sixth, Fernandez reached on a throwing error by Latham and moved to third on a ground out by Mark Dolenc. Joe Benson walked and stole second base to give the Snappers two runners in scoring position with one out. Steven Singleton looped a broken bat base hit to right field to score both Fernandez and Benson, making it 4-1.
Garrett Olson started the eighth inning with a single off Chiefs reliever Craig Muschko. Ramon Santana lined a base hit to put two on with one out. After Olson was picked off second base, Ozzie Lewis delivered a RBI single to score Santana to extend the lead to 5-1.
Peoria got on the board against Snapper reliever Matt Williams in the eighth inning. Donaldson reached on an error for the second time in the game. Rosa picked up his third hit of the game and second RBI with a base hit to score Donaldson and cut the deficit to 5-2.
Siegfried went the first five innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits while walking two and striking out one but did not factor in the decision. Latham worked two innings and allowed two unearned runs on one hit while striking out two. Steve Vento worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the Chiefs, including one strikeout to pick up his first win of the season.
Players of the Day - Marquez Smith and Josh Donaldson - A clutch home run from Smith in the bottom of the ninth ended up tying the game for the Chiefs, bringing them back from their 5-2 deficit. Donaldson added to the effort by finishing the game with a homer of his own to give the Chiefs their first walk-off win in two seasons.
Notes... The last back-to-back home runs were hit by Yusuf Carter and Alberto Garcia in 2006...Ryan Norwood hit the last walk-off home run for the Chiefs in May of 2006... Jonathan Mota made his first career start in the outfield...Peoria has fallen behind in five of the eight games played this season...Rosa now has two three hit games on the season...Peoria committed two errors in the game giving them 21 on the season...The Chiefs will host the undefeated Kane County Cougars for a three-game weekend series starting Friday at 6:30 PM...The first 1500 fans through the gates will receive a 2008-09 Peoria Chiefs Calendar...The Chiefs will send RH Alberto Cabrera (1-0, 1.80) to the hill against RH Travis Banwart (1-0, 1.29)...The game can be heard live beginning with the pre-game show at 6:15 PM online at www.peoriachiefs.com or on WOAM 1350.
Midwest League Stories from April 10, 2008
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