MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Rally to Defeat Snappers, 3-2 in Series Opener

Published on July 6, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs rallied for two runs in the seventh inning on Wednesday night to defeat the Beloit Snappers, 3-2 in the series opener. Peoria improves to 5-8 in the second half and 38-45 overall this season.

Neither team found success early on in the game and both starting pitchers took a scoreless draw through four and a half innings. After Beloit left two runners on in the opening frame, Snappers' righty A.J. Achter retired the first eight Peoria hitters before Arismendy Alcantara singled in the third. The Chiefs' defense also contributed as shortstop Elliot Soto made a pair of nice plays in the first and fourth to keep the game even.

Beloit's biggest threat came in the top of the fifth when Tyler Grimes reached on a throwing error by Greg Rohan at third. Grimes made it third with two outs, but Chiefs' left-hander Eric Jokisch struck out Andrew Leer to end the inning.

Peoria broke through in the bottom of the fifth and took its first lead of the game with Achter on the hill. Micah Gibbs lined a leadoff single into right, moved to second on Soto's sac bunt and traveled to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Anthony Giansanti lifted a sac fly into right that allowed Gibbs to score for a 1-0 lead.

Following a scoreless sixth, Beloit responded in the seventh to take its first lead of the game against Chiefs' reliever Yohan Gonzalez. Slugger Michael Gonzales led off with a solo home run to right that bounced onto Adams Street for a 1-1 ballgame. After two strikeouts, Lance Ray extended the inning with a double into the right-center field power alley. Chiefs' centerfielder Matt Szczur retrieved the ball in the gap, but his throw back to the infield missed the cutoff man and allowed Ray to score for a 2-1 lead.

The Chiefs answered in their half of the seventh and scored the game-winning run against Snappers' reliever Jose Gonzalez. Micah Gibbs was hit with a pitch to begin the inning, moved to second on Soto's second sac bunt and advanced to third on when Giansanti grounded out. With two gone, Alcantara evened the game with a RBI single. He stole second base and traveled to third on a throwing error by Snappers' catcher Tobias Streich. On a 3-2 pitch, Szczur put Peoria ahead with a RBI single into left that scored Alcantara for the final run of the contest.

Jokisch allowed just three hits in six innings of a no decision. He did not allow a walk and struck out four hitters in his third start of the year. Gonzalez (2-3) earned the win after a blown save with two innings of work. He gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits and also struck out three batters. Brent Ebinger pitched the final frame and earned his first career save. He retired the only three hitters he faced with one strikeout.

Casey's General Store Player of the Game - Eric Jokisch (LHP) - Jokisch earned Peoria's 18th quality start of the year with just three hits allowed in six innings of work. He took a no decision but struck out four batters in a shutout start.

Notes: Beloit's Michael Gonzales has six hits and three homers against Peoria this yearThe Chiefs won their first series opener at home since June 10 against South BendAlcantara notched his 19th multi-hit game of the season and Cuneo recorded his ninth multi-hit gameSoto leads the team with seven sac buntsThe Chiefs won their first 1-run game since May 19 when they defeated Quad Cities 3-2The Chiefs had lost seven straight 1-run games sincePeoria went 2-for-4 with runners in scoring positionJokisch went at least six innings for his second straight startThe Chiefs are 7-14 in 1-run games this yearJokisch earned Peoria's 18th quality start this yearPeoria is 4-3 against Beloit this seasonEbinger became the 11th different player to earn a save for Peoria this seasonEbinger became the sixth player to earn his first career save with Peoria this season following Jeff Antigua, Eduardo Figueroa, Su-Min Jung, Jokisch, and Robinson LopezSzczur's throwing error in the seventh was his first of the season and second as a ChiefSzczur's only other error with Peoria was committed on July 28, 2010 vs. WisconsinSzczur had not committed an error in 143 chances in 2011Gonzalez has allowed at least one run in each of his last seven consecutive appearances for PeoriaWednesday marked the first time Peoria and Beloit had met since April 30Chiefs have not allowed a run in the first three innings of a game since July 1 at BurlingtonPeoria continues a three-game series with Beloit on Thursday at 7:00 p.mThursday is Ladies Night as well as another Thirsty ThursdayFans can purchase 16oz. domestic drafts and sodas for just $2 each throughout the gameThe Chiefs will start LH Frank Del Valle (0-0, 0.00) vs. Beloit RH B.J. Hermsen (7-6, 3.45)The broadcast can be heard, starting with the pre-game show at 6:40 p.m. on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for an iPhone/iPad app and a Droid app.

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Midwest League Stories from July 6, 2011


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