Chiefs Erase Seven-Run Deficit to Win 13-11
April 23, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL - After both teams combined to score just five runs in the opening two games of the series, the Peoria Chiefs and the Burlington Bees broke out of their slumber with a combined 24 run, 30 hit explosion en route to a Chiefs' 13-11 victory Sunday afternoon at O'Brien Field.
Just one inning after the Chiefs put up a seven spot to tie the game, Brandon Taylor doubled to lead off the sixth. Dylan Johnston grounded out to second, advancing Taylor to third. Davy Gregg put the Chiefs up for good when he hit a soft ground ball to second, scoring Taylor from third. Robinson Chirinos then came to the plate and lined a solo home run off the foul pole in left to put the count at 12-10 in favor of Peoria.
The Bees managed a single run in the top of the eighth and had a chance to tie it that same inning with runners on the corners but closer Ed Campusano got Ethien Santana to strike out swinging. The Chiefs added a run of their own in the eighth on a Ryan Norwood fielder's choice and the Chiefs held on for a 13-11 win.
The Bees wasted no time in getting on the board in the first. After a couple of Blackford walks to start the game, Mario Lisson grounded one up the middle scoring Joshua Johnson from second. One out later, John Lowen hit a sacrifice fly to left to make it 2-0.
The Chiefs cut the deficit in half in their part of the first. Gregg walked to start the inning and advanced to second on a Chirinos groundout. Kevin Collins then picked up his first RBI as a Chief when he blooped a two-out, RBI single to centerfield, scoring Gregg from second.
Burlington struck again in the third. With one out, Blackford hit a batter then gave up back-to-back bloop singles to load the bases. Carlos Arroyo was up next and lined a one run single to center. The Bees weren't done yet. The next batter up Antonio Sabatini placed one in the left-centerfield gap singling home two making 5-1.
The Chiefs answered back with two of their own in the bottom half of the third. After a Jesus Valdez RBI groundout to score Chirinos, Collins knocked his first home run of the season and the Chiefs' first one at O'Brien Field, a rocket over the right-centerfield fence to cut the deficit to two.
The Bees, already leading by two, put together a five run outburst in the fifth making it 10-3. Leading the way for Burlington that inning was John Lowen, who connected on a two-run homer, his second of the year. Blackford was chased from the game later that inning.
After the five runs put on the board by Burlington in the fourth, The Chiefs started to stage a comeback. Chirinos singled home two with the bases loaded then came home to score on an error off the bat of Collins. With two outs and runners at the corners, Norwood stepped in a dumped a single into right-center field. After a balk, Alberto Garcia singled home two then advanced to second on the throw to the plate that was late. Catcher Mark Reed then brought Garcia home to tie the game at 10 on a single to left.
Blackford got the no decision after 3 2/3 innings of work. He gave up nine runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings of work. Jesse Estrada came on in relief for him in the fourth and picked up his second win of the year, going 3 1/3 innings allowing no runs on three hits. Justin Rayborn went 2/3 of an inning allowing one run on three hits and Ed Campusano pitched a perfect 1 1/3 to close it out and pick up his fourth save of the season. Bees' starter Ryan Di Pietro got the no-decision and Rayner Oliveros got the loss, dropping his record to 2-1.
Pepsi Player of the Game
Robinson Chirinos (2B) - Robinson Chirinos had his second great night in a row. The Chief second baseman was 3-5 with his first homer of the year, a double, two runs scored and three RBIs.
Notes... The 12 runs scored by the Chiefs was the most so far this season .....The Chiefs came back from their biggest deficit the year, when they erased a seven run deficit Sunday....Attendance Sunday afternoon was 2,187 exactly...The Chiefs will wrap up this four-game homestand tomorrow night against Burlington. David Henninger (1-0,4.50) will go to the mound for Burlington against a starter to be announced for the Chiefs ...Game time is at 6:30 PM and the pre-game show will kick-off at 6:15 on www.peoriachiefs.com.
Midwest League Stories from April 23, 2006
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