Chiefs Fall Behind Early, Lose to Wisconsin 6-3
April 8, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Appleton, WI - The Peoria Chiefs allowed three runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and never caught up, losing to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 6-3 on Saturday afternoon. With the loss the Chiefs fall to 1-2 on the series and the regular season.
Wisconsin leadoff man Robby Hudson got things started with a single off Mike Billek and a stolen base. Chao Kuan Wu followed with a RBI single to get the Rattlers on the board before Mike Saunders blooped a basehit to center. Jeff Flaig grounded back to Billek, but the Chiefs hurler threw wide to second allowing Wu to score the second run. The Chiefs recorded the first out of the innings on a fielders choice, but Saunders was able to score on the play for a 3-0 Wisconsin lead.
Peoria had no problem getting runners on base against left-handed starter Paul Fagan, they just couldn't score. In the first two innings the Chiefs had five base runners but nothing to show for it. They finally broke through in the 3rd when Matt Ciaramella reached on a fielders choice and scored on a double off the bat of Ryan Norwood.
The Chiefs lost a runner at the plate in the 4th when Alex Gary threw out Jesus Valdez at to end the inning after a single by Robinson Chirinos. Wisconsin added to their lead against Billek in the 6th. With two outs, Eddy Hernandez singled to left and Jeff Dominguez singled to center. Hudson singled home Hernandez and Wu made it 6-1 with a single to center.
Peoria narrowed the gap in the 5th inning against Fagan. With two down, Norwood singled and Garcia doubled him home. Brandon Taylor followed with a RBI double to knock Fagan from the game. Nick Allen relieved the Rattlers started and retired Valdez to end the threat.
The Chiefs had a chance to close the gap in the 7th but left the bases loaded. Luis Rivera reached on an error, Ciaramella walked and Norwood singled to load the bases with no outs. But Allen bucked down and got Garcia to pop-up, Taylor to strike out and Valdez to bounce into a fielders choice to end the threat. The Chiefs only had one baserunner in the last two innings.
Billek (0-1) took the loss allowing six runs, five earned on seven hits over six innings. The right-hander did strike out a career high six. Allen (1-0) picked up the win with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He pitched out of two jams and allowed just two hits.
Pepsi Player of the Game
Ryan Norwood (1B) - The Chiefs first baseman picked up his second 3-hit game of the season and also collected his first RBI. He had two singles and a double while scoring a run. Norwood is 7-for-15 to begin the 2006 season.
Notes...Matt Ciaramella collected the Chiefs first outfield assist when he threw out Wu at second base to end the 4th inning...Tim Layden and Jeff Teasley each tossed two scoreless innings and the Chiefs bullpen has not allowed a run in 12 2/3 innings of work this season...The Chiefs have left at least 10 men on base in each game so far this season...Neither team has homered in the series... Jesus Yepez (0-0) takes the mound Sunday afternoon against Marwin Vega (0-0) in the series finale...Game time is 1:05...The broadcast begins with the pregame show on www.peoriachiefs.com at 12:50.
Midwest League Stories from April 8, 2006
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- Snappers Lose in Extra Innings - Beloit Sky Carp
- Devil Rays Top Lugnuts in Extra Innings - Lansing Lugnuts
- Garcia's arm, Maybin's bat key Whitecaps' first win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- McCormick powers Swing to first victory - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Chiefs Fall Behind Early, Lose to Wisconsin 6-3 - Peoria Chiefs
- Cougars Offense Quiet in Loss - Kane County Cougars
- Wu drives in three in Rattler win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Silver Hawks update - South Bend Silver Hawks
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