Chiefs Shut Out Bees 2-0
April 21, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL - Behind outstanding pitching, the Peoria Chiefs took the series opener from the Burlington Bees 2-0 Friday Night at O'Brien Field. Starter Mitch Atkins and the Chiefs' bullpen combined to shut out the Bees giving up just three hits and striking out 13 hitters. After making very little contact in the first two innings, the Chiefs jumped on top in the third. Robinson Chirinos walked then stole second with one away. Matt Ciaramella lashed an RBI triple off of the right-field wall making it 1-0. The Chiefs had an opportunity for more with Ciaramella at third but Chris Nicoll recorded his sixth and seventh strikeouts, fanning Davy Gregg and Dylan Johnston to end the inning. Peoria added a bit of insurance in their half of the seventh. Alberto Garcia was hit by a pitch to start the inning and advanced to third on Mark Reed's groundball single. After a Brandon Taylor strikeout, Robinson Chirinos lined an RBI single to right field to put the Chiefs on top 2-0.
Burlington's best chance to score came in the seventh. The Bees loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a couple of walks and a single, but Tim Layden made the big pitch when he needed to most striking out Christopher McConnell on a full count to keep Burlington off the scoreboard. Atkins was sensational through five innings to notch his first win of the year. He shut out the Bees in his five innings of work, giving up just two hits, while walking three and striking out five. Layden came on and threw two innings of relief. He gave up one hit and struck out five in those two innings. Ed Campusano picked up his third save of the season, pitching two innings giving up one hit and striking out three. He induced pinch-hitter Valentino Arce to ground into a game-ending double play to earn the save. Nicoll was very good as well. In his first appearance of the season, Nicoll went 4 2/3 innings giving up one run on two hits and struck out eight Chiefs. Pepsi Player of the Game Mitch Atkins (RHP) - Atkins was unscored upon in five innings. He struck out five hitters in his five scoreless innings. The right-hander now has allowed just two runs in 15 innings of work this season for a 1.20 ERA
Notes... The eight strikeouts by Nicoll was the most by any individual pitcher against the Chiefs this season....The thirteen strikeouts thrown by Chiefs' pitching was a season high...Attendance Friday night was 1,723...On the hill Saturday night will be LHP Donnie Veal (1-2, 4.20 ERA) and RHP Matt Kniginyzky (2-0, 3.18 ERA) ...All fans will receive 2006-07 Peoria Chiefs Calendars and it is Country Night at O'Brien Field...Game time is at 6:30 and the pre-game show will kick-off at 6:15 on www.peoriachiefs.com.
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