Chiefs Wake Early, Hold Off Lugnuts Late, 8-6
Published on May 6, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - Josh Vitters and Junior Lake each homered to help the Peoria Chiefs (14-11) build an early six-run lead and stave off the Lansing Lugnuts (8-17), 8-6, before a School Day crowd of 7,923 at Oldsmobile Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Peoria leapt out in front early 6-0, tallying four times in the first inning against Lugnuts starter Ryan Koch (0-2) and adding two more runs in the second on Lake's first home run of the season and an RBI single from Rebel Ridling.
Two-run homers from Lansing's Kenny Wilson and Mark Sobolewski off of Peoria starter Marcus Hatley in the bottom of the third closed the deficit to 6-4. It was the first professional home run for Wilson, the Lugnuts' speedy lead-off hitter, as well as Sobolewski's first home run of the season.
But Lansing would get no closer against Chiefs relievers Kevin Kreier, Chris Huseby, and Ryan Buchter, with Kreier (3-1) working a scoreless fourth inning to earn the victory and Buchter locking down the Lugnuts over the final three innings to pick up his third save.
The Chiefs pounded out 15 base hits in the game, three by Josh Harrison and Josh Vitters and two each by Ryan Flaherty, Kyler Burke, Mario Mercedes, and Rebel Ridling.
Mark Sobolewski drove in three runs for the Lugnuts in the losing cause, assisted by a pair of base hits from Yohermyn Chavez and A.J. Jimenez.
The two teams close out their three-game series on a Labatt Blue Light Thirsty Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Oldsmobile Park, featuring $2 beer and pop specials.
Peoria will send right-hander Justin Bristow (0-0, 10.80) to the mound looking for the sweep, while the Lugnuts will counter with right-hander Henderson Alvarez (2-3, 4.85).
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