Chiefs Make It Five Straight with 4-1 Victory
June 10, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL - Behind a three-run eighth and some outstanding bullpen work, the Peoria Chiefs made it five straight victories, this one a 4-1 win over the Clinton LumberKings Saturday night at O'Brien Field in front of a crowd of 5,051 fans. With the win the Chiefs move to 36-26 on the half and their magic number for clinching a playoff spot drops to three. Other games involving potential playoff teams were still on-going at the conclusion of the Chiefs' contest.
With the scored tied 1-1 in the eighth, the Chiefs took their first lead of the contest. Clinton reliever Gerry Oakes walked Matt Ciaramella, Robinson Chirinos and Mark Reed to load the bases for Jesus Valdez. The second pitch to the Chief left fielder hit him square in the back to bring home Ciaramella to give the one run edge. Peoria wasn't done yet. Ryan Norwood added some insurance when he bounced a single through the left side of the infield to score Chirinos and Reed to make it a 4-1 advantage.
The LumberKings struck first in the top half of the fourth. With two outs and Ben Crabtree at second base, John Wittleman recorded his second of three hits with a check swing liner into left field. Jesus Valdez fielded it and threw a hose to Reed to try to cut down Crabtree. The throw was in plenty of time, but a collision at the plate between Crabtree and Reed knocked the ball loose from the Chiefs' catcher to give Clinton a 1-0 lead.
The Chiefs tied it up in their half of the fourth. Reed stroked a lead off double and moved to third with one away on a Norwood bloop single to center. Yusuf Carter delivered a sacrifice fly to deep center to score Reed and tie the game at one.
Donnie Veal turned in an excellent performance going six strong innings allowing just one unearned run on two hits. The southpaw struck out eight. Jesse Estrada came in and allowed two batters to reach before exiting after taking a line drive off the back. Justin Rayborn picked up the slack and gave the Chiefs a huge lift out of the bullpen. The righty inherited runners at the corners with nobody out in a tie game and baffled LumberKings' hitters to keep the game knotted at one. Rayborn notched his third win of the year. Ed Campusano earned his 19th save. Clinton right-hander Kyle Rogers also pitched well in a starting role. He went seven innings giving up just one run on four hits. Oakes picked up the loss for the LumberKings.
Pepsi Player of the Game
Justin Rayborn (RHP) - The Chiefs' reliever struck out three and allowed just one hit in two innings of work in a winning effort in addition to working out of that tough jam in the seventh. Notes... Former Cub pitcher and broadcaster Steve Stone was on-hand for IPMR night and threw out a ceremonial first pitch....The Chiefs committed their first error in four games...The five game winning streak by the Chiefs matches a season-high...Attendance Saturday night was 5,051...RHP Scott Taylor (2-2, 3.33) will start on the mound for the Chiefs tomorrow going up against LHP Zach Phillips (2-4, 5.31) ...First pitch of the first game is slated for 2:00 PM and the pre-game show will kick-off at 1:45 on www.peoriachiefs.com.
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