MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Win 4-1 Thursday Night

Published on May 21, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


Peoria, IL - Behind two home runs and solid pitching, the Peoria Chiefs took game two of the series against the West Michigan Whitecaps 4-1 Thursday night at O'Brien Field. Josh Harrison and Josh Vitters both homered, giving the Chiefs the lead which they never saw disappear. Chris Archer was brilliant on the mound again, blanking the Whitecaps through five.

The Chiefs got on the board early with a 1-0 lead in their half of the first inning. Chiefs leadoff man Harrison hit a shot over the left field wall for his second home run of the season.

Peoria added on to their lead in the sixth making the score 4-0. With one out, Ryan Flaherty drew a walk. Vitters hit a towering shot over the left field wall for his eighth home run of the season and his fifth in the last six games, putting the Chiefs up 3-0. Kyler Burke singled on a ground ball to third. With Rebel Ridling at bat, Burke stole second and put himself in scoring position. Ridling hit a double to center, his eleventh of the season, and plated Burke, giving the Chiefs a 4-0 lead.

West Michigan got one run back in the seventh. With two outs, right-fielder Luis Salas hit a home run over the right field wall. The home run made the score 4-1 and was the only run the Whitecaps got for the game.

The only time the Whitecaps threatened against Archer came in the top of the first. West Michigan loaded the bases with no outs. The Chiefs right hander escaped with no damage after striking out Ronnie Bourquin, inducing a pop-up by Bryan Pounds and punching out Billy Nowlin to end the frame. Archer threw five innings and allowed only one hit with one walk and eight strikeouts, increasing his record 2-0.

Kevin Kreier allowed one run in his two innings of work. Ryan Buchter threw one inning and gave up one hit while walking three. Chris Huseby came on in the ninth and picked up his second save of the season, allowing only one hit with one strikeout. Whitecaps starter Mauricio Robles was tabbed with the loss after throwing 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, including Harrison and Vitters' home runs, and struck out eight. West Michigan reliever Erik Crichton gave up four this in his 1 2/3 innings of work. Tyler Stohr threw one inning, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Casey's General Store Player of the Game - Chris Archer (RHP) - Archer pitched his way out of trouble in the first to earn his second win of the season. In his three starts at home this season, Archer has allowed just two hits and no-earned runs. Notes... Peoria is 6-6 against left-handed pitchers...Josh Harrison hit the Chiefs first lead-off home run at home since Robinson Chirinos did so on May 17, 2006 against West Michigan...Archer threw a career high eight strikeouts and he also retired 15 in a row...Ridling now leads the Chiefs with 29 RBI and Thursday night's is his first in six games...Attendance for Thursday night was 2,248...The Chiefs will send RH Alberto Cabrera (3-1, 3.58) to the mound Friday against Whitecaps RH Brandon Hamilton (1-1, 5.20)...The ZOOperstars will be at O'Brien Field entertaining the crowd on Friday as part of FANomenal Friday Zoo Night...The game can be heard starting with the pre-game show at 6:15 PM on 96.5 ESPN Radio and www.peoriachiefs.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 21, 2009


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