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MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Score Early & Often to Beat Bandits

June 9, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


DAVENPORT, IA - The Peoria Chiefs scored two runs in each of the first two innings and kept scoring throughout for an 8-4 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits Monday night. Both teams are now 33-30, one game behind Burlington in the Wild Card race after the Bees won twice on Monday.

"We lost two tough games yesterday late and to have the kids respond the way they did today is a great sign," said manager Joe Kruzel. "We go home with an opportunity to get into the post-season and it's going to be a fun week playing meaningful games. We don't control our own destiny anymore but we have a chance."

C.J. McElroy walked to start the game and immediately moved to third on an errant pickoff throw by Chris Lee. Vaughn Bryan brought McElroy home with a groundout with two down Carson Kelly singled to center. Gerwuins Velazco doubled down the third base line to score Kelly and put the Chiefs on top 2-0.

In the second inning, Richy Pedroza singled and moved to second as McElroy walked. Both runners scored as Bryan tripled off the center field wall for a 4-0 lead. Quad Cities plated their first run in the bottom of the fourth when Ronnie Mitchell led off with a home run against Arturo Reyes.

The Chiefs scored in four straight innings starting in the fifth. Lee left after loading the bases in the fifth and the Chiefs scored against Albert Minnis when Velazco hit into a double play. In the sixth inning Kenny Peoples-Walls singled and moved to third on two balks. He scored when Pedroza singled to right for a 6-1 Chiefs lead. Mason Katz made it 7-1 when he singled home Herrera in the seventh as Minnis left the game.

Reyes allowed a triple and hit a batter before leaving in the seventh. Quad Cities scored twice as Zach Loraine threw two wild pitches and Brian Holberton grounded out. Mitchell doubled to right to cut the lead to 7-4 before Loraine ended the inning on a strikeout.

The Chiefs scored the final run of the game in the eighth against Patrick Christensen. McElroy walked for a third time and moved to third on a single to left by Bryan. McElroy scored on an infield single by Herrera though Bryan was out between third and home to end the inning.

Reyes (4-3) allowed three runs on three hits over six innings to earn the win. He walked two, struck out two and hit one. Loraine allowed one run on two hits while striking out four. Robert Stock walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

"Arturo has been very consistent out there for us and attacked their hitters today," said Kruzel. "When he got the lead he got more aggressive and the home run didn't bother him and he got more aggressive. Good to see Robert (Stock) pitch the ninth inning and get a strikeout and double play, it is good for him."

Playoff Picture: Burlington beat Beloit twice on Monday, 6-5 and 3-1 to move to 34-29 on the season with a four-game sweep. With six games left the Chiefs are tied with Quad Cities at 33-30, one game behind Burlington who has the tiebreaker over both teams. Wisconsin is also in the race, one game behind the Chiefs and two behind Burlington. The Chiefs host Kane County and Clinton for three games each. Quad Cities plays three at Cedar Rapids and hosts Wisconsin to end the half. Burlington travels for three games each at Clinton and Cedar Rapids while Wisconsin hosts Beloit for three.

Notes: Bryan tied a career high with three RBI and picked up his second triple on the roadtripThe Chiefs won the final game of the series in both series this roadtripReyes leads the Chiefs with five quality starts and he has gone at least six innings in three of his last four startsStock played for Quad Cities from 2009-2012 as a catcher and pitcherMcElroy stole his 14th base of the season and second of the seriesAll five hits were extra-base hits for Quad CitiesKatz leads the Chiefs with 34 RBIHe DH'd for the first time all seasonVelazco has hit safely in all four games this season with a home run, two doubles and two RBIThe Chiefs and Bandits split six games this half and play seven times June 19-30The Chiefs next road game will be in Davenport on June 19 to start the second halfMcElroy has walked and scored to start two straight gamesThe Chiefs return home to Dozer Park for a 7:00 p.m. start Tuesday against the Kane County CougarsThe Chiefs will start LH Chase Brookshire (1-3, 6.21) against Kane County RH Tyler Skulina (4-2, 2.93)The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:45 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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