Chiefs freeze out Rattlers 3-0
April 7, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
Fox Cities Stadium -- On a Friday night where temperatures dropped into the low 30s, Peoria Chief pitchers Todd Blackford, Roberto Sotolongo, and Ed Campusano combined on a 3-0 shutout of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Blackford pitched five scoreless innings and struck out a career high six batters for the win. Campusano pitched the final two innings and struck out four for the save.
Peoria (1-1) took an early lead with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Robinson Chirinos doubled with two outs to keep the inning going. Ryan Norwood was the next batter and sent a flyball to center for what appeared to be the final out. However, Eddy Hernandez dropped the ball, Chirinos scored, and the Chiefs had all the runs they would need.
Wisconsin (1-1) loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, but Blackford got Bryan Sabatella to line out to right field and the Rattlers didn't threaten the rest of the night.
The Chiefs got some insurance late in the game with a pair of runs in the eighth. An infield grounder by Alberto Garcia sent Chirinos home with a run for a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, Jesus Valdes executed a squeeze bunt to perfection and knocked in the final run of the game.
Rattler starting pitcher Justin Thomas allowed only the unearned run in the first inning to get tagged with the loss in his Midwest League debut.
Game three of the series is Saturday afternoon at Fox Cities Stadium. Lefty Paul Fagan is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Mike Billek is the probable starter for the Chiefs. Game time is 1:05pm.
Midwest League Stories from April 7, 2006
- Bees Snap Opening Day O-fer - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Win Again - Kane County Cougars
- Three Chiefs Pitchers Shutout Wisconsin 3-0 - Peoria Chiefs
- Silver Hawks Come from Five Down to Beat Dragons 9-8 - Dayton Dragons
- Lugnuts Take Second Straight - Lansing Lugnuts
- Chiefs freeze out Rattlers 3-0 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Chiefs freeze out Rattlers 3-0 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Three runs in the ninth not enough; Quad Cities falls to 0-2 - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Snappers Win on Walk Off Shot by Sanchez - Beloit Sky Carp
- Rays Season at C. O. Brown opens in Royal Fashion - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Swing stymied on opening day - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Tim Mattison joins Kernels; Espinoza assigned to Tempe - Cedar Rapids Kernels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
