Chiefs Rally to Tie in Ninth, Then Walk Off in 11th
May 18, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL - Thanks to a game tying single in the ninth and a Jesus Valdez walk-off single in the eleventh, the Peoria Chiefs rallied to defeat the West Michigan Whitecaps 2-1 Thursday night in the 250th game in O'Brien Field history. Chiefs' starter Jesus Yepez gave up just one run on three hits in a quality start, while West Michigan hurler Ramon Garcia gave up five hits in nine scoreless innings.
Jake Muyco led off the eleventh with a walk and advanced to second base on a sac bunt by Matt Ciaramella. Anthony Claggett, who had not allowed a run out of the bullpen all season, intentionally walked Kyle Reynolds and struck out Jonathon Mota. With two outs and the winning run at second, Valdez blooped the ball into right-center and it hit off the glove of a diving rightfielder Matt Joyce as the Chiefs celebrated a 2-1 win.
Peoria tied it in the ninth. After a leadoff pinch hit single by Robinson Chirinos, Matt Ciaramella laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second. The next batter was Kyle Reynolds who knocked a base hit to center field to score Chirinos and tie the game at 1.
West Michigan eventually got on the board in the top half of the fourth. Matthew Joyce launched a solo shot into the street in right field to put the Whitecaps up 1-0, the only tally for either team.
The Whitecaps threatened to get on top earlier in the third. With one out, Jeramy Laster ripped a ball off the top of the right-center field wall. He tried to stretch it into an inside-the-park home run but Kyle Reynolds' relay throw was in plenty of time and catcher Justin Morgan held onto the ball after a big collision at the plate with Laster to keep it a scoreless affair.
Yepez got the no-decision going six innings and giving up one run, walking three and striking out four. Mike Billek went two scoreless and struck out three, and Matt Avery came on to pitch four scoreless frames. Avery picked up the win, his first of the season. Garcia also got a no-decision going nine striking out six Chiefs. Claggett took the loss after Orlando Perdomo tossed a scoreless 10th.
Pepsi Player of the Game
Jesus Valdez (RF) - Valdez, who was 0-for-4 in regulation, won the game for the Chiefs with a bloop single in the 10th. The hit extended his hit streak to 10 games and gave him a season high 20 RBI on the season.
Notes...As part of the Irish Night celebration, the Chiefs wore green jerseys that were auctioned off for the Independent Sports Club...Manager Jody Davis' #7 jersey went for an all-time Chiefs auction record $525...This was the 7th jersey auction in four years at O'Brien Field with three more to come this season...The Chiefs are 131-119 in the first 250 games ever played at O'Brien Field...In three home starts, Yepez has allowed just two runs spread between 15 innings this season ...The Chiefs grounded into four double plays Thursday night, a season high.... Attendance Thursday night was 1,606 .....RHP Mitch Atkins (3-0, 2.21) will start on the mound tomorrow for the Chiefs going up against RHP Sendy Vasquez (2-3, 2.50)...First pitch is slated for 6:30 PM and the pre-game show will kick-off at 6:15 on www.peoriachiefs.com.
Midwest League Stories from May 18, 2006
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- Quirky game leaves Whitecaps at a loss - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Early Rattler lead disappears - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Chiefs Rally to Tie in Ninth, Then Walk Off in 11th - Peoria Chiefs
- Swing capture second straight - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Maybin, Sborz placed on the DL - West Michigan Whitecaps
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