Chiefs Win Fourth Straight With 3-2 Win Wednesday
September 2, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Chiefs Win Fourth Straight With 3-2 Win Wednesday
Jackson homers; Chiefs go for 80 wins Thursday
Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs won a franchise-record 48th game of the season at home, defeating the Kane County Cougars 3-1 Wednesday night at O'Brien Field. Peoria improved to 41-23 in the second half and 79-54. They will go after their third ever 80 win season Thursday against Kane County.
The Chiefs struck first in the third inning. With one out, Brett Jackson was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a walk issued to Ryan Flaherty. Kenny Smalley hit Rebel Ridling with a pitch for the second hit batter in the inning, loading the bases. Kyler Burke hit a sacrifice fly to score Jackson for his 86th RBI of the season to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.
It didn't take long for Kane County to respond with a run of their own in the fourth. Conner Crumbless led-off the inning with the first Cougars hit of the game, a single to right. With Leonardo Gil batting, Aaron Shafer was called for a balk after dropping the ball on the mound which advanced Crumbliss to second. With the second out recorded, Stephen Parker singled to score Crumbliss and tie the game 1-1.
The Chiefs tallied a run in the sixth and seventh to regain the lead off reliever Anthony Huttenlocker. D.J. LeMahieu led-off the sixth with a double to right-field and with one down, advanced to third on a ground out by Mario Mercedes. Junior Lake singled to plate LeMahieu to make it a 2-1 ball game. Jackson began the seventh with a towering shot over the right-field wall for his seventh home run of the season, increasing the Chiefs lead 3-1.
The Cougars threatened to tie the game with a runner on third in the ninth against reliever Kevin Kreier. Parker began the inning with a single and advanced to second after Michael Spina walked. Franklin Hernandez was out on a sacrifice bunt with both base runners advancing 90 feet. Jeremy Barfield hit a sacrifice fly to score Parker and advance Spina to third. With the tying run on third, Petey Paramore flew out to center to end the threat and the game.
Shafer (11-8) threw six innings, giving up one run on two hits. He did not issue a walk while striking out eight. Kreier earned his fourth save of the season, giving up one run on one hit in his three innings of work. He also walked two and struck out two.
Casey's General Store Player of the Game - Aaron Shafer (RHP) - Shafer had another solid start at O'Brien Field, throwing six innings while giving up only two hits. The right-hander did not issue a walk while striking out eight. Shafer is now tied for the O'Brien Field career wins record with Alberto Cabrera at eight.
Notes... LeMahieu grounded into his 11th double play in 34 games which ties for second on the team for the season...Shafer set a career and season high in strikeouts with eight...It was the third straight start for Shafer going six innings without giving up a run...After pinch-running for Ridling in the seventh inning, Robert Bautista took over first-base duties for the first time in his career...Lake is the first Chiefs player with 40 errors in a season since Shaun Boyd had 40 in 2002...He currently leads the league in errors and is the seventh Chiefs player ever reach 40...Shafer set the single season record for wins at O'Brien Field with eight...Peoria has a team record for most home wins in one season with 48...The 2002 team won 47...Thursday it is What Could Have Been Night at O'Brien Field...The Chiefs continue their three-game home stand against Kane County Thursday night at 6:30 PM...Peoria will send RH Justin Bristow (5-7, 4.31) to the mound opposed by RH Murphy Smith (1-2, 4.94) for Kane County...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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