Chiefs, Timber Rattlers Split Doubleheader in Appleton
Published on April 10, 2022 under Midwest League (MWL)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Appleton, WI - GAME ONE: With blustery conditions on display at Fox Cities Stadium, the Chiefs rode stellar pitching to a 1-0 in the opener of Sunday's twinbill.
Starter Gordon Graceffo was locked in from the first inning and allowed just two hits en route to five shutout innings. Graceffo was incredibly efficient on the afternoon and needed just 68 pitches, 50 for strikes, to cruise through his High-A debut. On the season, the Chiefs starting staff have allowed just two hits in 10 innings, while striking out 10 Wisconsin batters.
The lone Chiefs run came on a throwing error in the top of the fifth inning. Francisco Hernandez smashed a ground ball towards third. Tommy Jew, the runner at third, was caught in a rundown. After Jew was tagged out between third and home, Hernandez streaked towards second. A wide throw from Wisconsin catcher Darrien Miller then allowed Matt Chamberlain to score all the way from second.
In his Chiefs debut, John Beller was able to slam the door and record the save. The left-hander collected the final six outs and whiffed the aforementioned Miller to end the contest.
GAME TWO:
In what was shaping up to be yet another pitcher's duel, a pair of late runs from Wisconsin allowed the Timber Rattlers to squeeze by the Chiefs 3-2 in game two of the scheduled doubleheader. With the win, Wisconsin took two of three to win the series.
Peoria starter Dionys Rodriguez labored through three innings in the nightcap of the doubleheader. The right-hander worked around five walks to put up a scoreless outing. The Chiefs starting rotation has not yet allowed a run in 13 innings of work this season.
For the third consecutive contest the Chiefs got on the board first. In the top of the fourth, Thomas Francisco collected an RBI fielder's choice to plate Masyn Winn and make it 1-0.
After Wisconsin tied the game in the fifth, Aaron Antonini delivered in the clutch yet again. Antonini homered to left, his second of the season, to give Peoria a precarious 2-1 advantage. Antonini hit just two homers with the Chiefs a year ago. The 23-year-old catcher has now hit two in as many starts.
However, it was the Timber Rattlers again getting the last laugh. After Wilfredo Pereira issued consecutive walks, a wild pitch moved runners to second and third. Tyler Black promptly followed it up with a single to center to plate both runs and win the game for Wisconsin. The Timber Rattlers did lead at any point in the doubleheader prior to Black's game-winning knock.
The Chiefs are off on Monday and will open the home slate on Tuesday at Dozer Park against Great Lakes. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35. Tickets for the entire series can be purchased online at peoriachiefs.com or in-person at the box office.
Midwest League Stories from April 10, 2022
- TinCaps Earn Doubleheader Split at Dayton - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Dragons Earn Doubleheader Spit with Fort Wayne, Take Series Victory - Dayton Dragons
- Chiefs, Timber Rattlers Split Doubleheader in Appleton - Peoria Chiefs
- Rattlers Rally for Walkoff Win in Game Two - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Captains Comeback Falls Short, Win First Road Series of 2022 - Lake County Captains
- Q.C. Slugs Past Cubs for Series Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cedar Rapids Sweeps Beloit with Two-Hit Shutout - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Pohl Wins 1st as Nuts Edge Captains, 6-5 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Quad Cities Takes Rubber-Game Duel over Cubs 8-2 - South Bend Cubs
- Cubs Put First Win of 2022 in Bank over Quad Cities 2-1 - South Bend Cubs
- Late Whitecaps Rally Secures Series for West Michigan - Great Lakes Loons
- Chiefs Top Timber Rattlers 1-0 in Game One - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps Game Information: April 10 at Dayton - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Sunday, April 10 (DH) - Dayton Dragons
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