MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Out Hit Whitecaps, Lose 4-2

Published on July 16, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The Peoria Chiefs out-hit West Michigan 12-9 but two unearned runs and a lack of timely hits cost the visitors in a 4-2 setback Wednesday night in the series opener. The Chiefs are now 16-9 in the second half and 53-41 on the season after leaving eight runners on base and losing a runner at the plate.

The Chiefs got going right away against Chad Green in the top of the first as C.J. McElroy Jr and Juan Herrera both singled with one out. As Herrera stole second Justin Ringo struck out and Ronald Castillo left two on with a groundout to shortstop.

West Michigan's Wynton Bernard reached on an error by Herrera to start the bottom of the first and Javier Betancourt singled. Raph Rhymes put the Whitecaps on top 1-0 with a single and Betancourt scored on a fielder's choice for a 2-0 lead.

Peoria tied the game in the third with help of a West Michigan error. Michael Schulze singled and Vaughn Bryan doubled to left. Rhymes's throw to second sailed past the intended target as Schulze scored and Bryan moved to third. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Herrera tied the game at two.

Bernard singled to start the bottom of the third and Betancourt beat out an attempted sacrifice before Rhymes walked to load the bases. Alex Reye struck out the next two Whitecaps before walking Grayson Grenier to force in the go-ahead run. Willy Adames singled to left to score another run but Bryan threw out Rhymes at the plate to end the inning.

The Chiefs looked to be in prime position to get on the board in the fifth as Kenny Peoples-Walls and Schulze started the frame with consecutive singles. However Green struck out the next three Chiefs to keep the hosts on top 4-2.

In the seventh inning Schulze doubled to right with one out against reliever Jeff Mantiply. With two down the Chiefs finally got their first hit with a runner in scoring position as McElroy singled to left. However the Chiefs gambled as Joe Kruzel waved Schulze home only to see the inning end as the catcher Grayson was waiting with the throw from left field to tag out Schulze at the plate.

Peoria had one final chance in the ninth against Julio Felix. Richy Pedroza singled to left with one out and with two down, Schulze collected his fourth hit of the game with a single to center. Pedroza moved to third on a wild pitch by Bryan struck out looking on a full-count pitch to end the game.

Reyes (6-6) took the loss allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three in the setback. Robert Stock allowed one hit and walked two over 2 1/3 innings while recording a strikeout. Zach Loraine struck out two and allowed one hit over two shutout innings.

Notes: The Chiefs offense entered the game with a MWL-best 575 strikeouts but struck out a season-high 14 times WednesdayBryan and Ringo both saw streaks of three straight multi-hit games end though Bryan had a double and now has a five-game hit streakSchulze tied a career-high with four hitsThe Chiefs have six four-hit games this seasonPeoria was just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and seven of the eight outs were strikeoutsPeoples-Walls and McElroy each had two hits, McElroy leads the Chiefs with 32 multi-hit gamesThe top four batters in the Chiefs lineup struck out a combined 10 timesThe 3 2/3 innings marked Reyes's shortest outing since going 3 2/3 innings on June 5 at BeloitThe Chiefs are 6-9 in the first game of a series on the roadThe Chiefs are 3-7 in their last 10 games at Fifth Third Ballpark with their last series win coming in 2008 when they won 2 of 3Game two of the series is at 6:00 p.m. Central on ThursdayThe Chiefs start LH Chase Brookshire (3-4, 4.11) against the Detroit Tigers 2013 first round pick RH Jonathan Crawford (4-2, 3.29)The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 5:45 p.m., on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for a free app on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android. The broadcast is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the Tune-In Radio App.

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Midwest League Stories from July 16, 2014


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