Chiefs Fight Off Rattlers 5-4 Saturday night
Published on May 24, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs collected their fifth straight win Saturday night with a 5-4 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in front of 5,129 fans on a fireworks night at O'Brien Field. The Chiefs are now 19-30 on the season and 2-0 on an eight-game homestand.
The Timber Rattlers jumped in front for the second straight game against Chiefs starter Alberto Cabrera. After a leadoff walk to Maximo Mendez, Juan Diaz doubled over the head of Dylan Johnston in right field to score Mendez from first to put Wisconsin in front 1-0. Cabrera recovered to strike out a pair of batters and then got Scott Robinson to ground out to first to end the inning and leave a runner at second.
Peoria answered right back in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game against Wisconsin starter Michael Pineda. Nate Samson got things started with a double into the left-field corner. With two outs Jovan Rosa singled through the left side of the infield to score Samson and tie the game 1-1.
Wisconsin did not let the game stay tied for long as they got to Cabrera again in the second inning. Alex Liddi tripled into the right field corner to start the inning. Calvin Beamon followed with a sacrifice fly to score Liddi and make it 2-1 in favor of the Timber Rattlers.
The two teams continued to go back-and-forth as the Chiefs tied the game in the bottom of the second. Dylan Johnston tied the game with one swing of the bat on the second pitch of the inning from Pineda with a solo shot to left center. The homer and RBI were the first by Johnston at home this season though he leads the team with seven home runs.
The Chiefs did more damage with two outs in the fifth inning against Pineda. Elvis Lara singled to start the inning and Samson was hit by a pitch to put two on with no outs. Pineda retired Brandon Guyer and Rosa but Marquez Smith lined a single into center to score Lara. Mendez's throw to third base was overthrown into the Rattlers dugout allowing Samson to score and make it a 4-2 Chiefs lead.
Peoria got back on the board in the sixth inning against the Rattlers bullpen. Mario Mercedes drew a one out walk and was moved over after a hit-and-run by Leon Johnson to put runners at the corners with one out. Elvis Lara grounded out to the second basemen to score Mercedes and extend the Chiefs lead to 5-2.
Wisconsin climbed back to within a run in the eighth against Chiefs reliever Steve Vento. Mendez got a one-out single and scored when Edilio Colina hit a two-run homer to left to make it a 5-4 game. After Dickey reached on an error, Mercedes caught him trying to steal second base to erase the potential tying run. Vento allowed a single in the ninth but retired Denny Almonte on a fly ball to left to end the game.
Cabrera picked up his first win at home with five innings of work allowing a pair of runs on three hits. He struck out five and walked three on the night. Blake Parker pitched two innings of relief and allowed just one hit while striking out three. Vento allowed a run over two innings of work as he picked up his third save of the season.
Player of the Game - Alberto Cabrera (SP)- Cabrera picked up his first win since April 6, snapping a personal six-game losing streak. He last five innings for the third straight start and settled in after the second to give the Chiefs a chance to win their 5th straight. He also struck out a season-high five and is now 3-0 lifetime against Mariners affiliates.
Notes... Peoria's winning streak is now at a season-high five games...Peoria's last five game winning streak came August 8th-12th of 2007...Chiefs are now 8-20 when opponents scores first...Samson and Mercedes both have personal season-best hitting streak of seven games...Marquez Smith now has a five game hitting streak...The crowd of 5,129 was the largest night crowd at O'Brien Field this season...The Chiefs have won at home in consecutive seasons on May 24, the anniversary of O'Brien Field's opening in 2002...The two teams continue the series on Sunday afternoon at 2:00...Cubs organist Gary Pressy will be providing in-game music...Sunday is Taco Bell Family Day...Fans can get a voucher at participating central Illinois Taco Bell restaurants...The voucher can be redeemed at the box office for four club box tickets, $20 in concessions, a disposable camera and a picture frame all for $48...Sunday is also Kids Day at O'Brien Field...Kids 14 and under can run the bases after the game...All fans can also get autographs from Chiefs players on the concourse following the game...The Chiefs will send RH Hung-Wen Chen (0-2, 3.35) to the hill against RH Juan Ramirez (2-3, 3.86)...The game can be heard live beginning with the pre-game show at 1:45 PM online at www.peoriachiefs.com or on WOAM 1350 AM.
Midwest League Stories from May 24, 2008
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