MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Win On Walk-Off

Published on July 14, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs bullpen gave away the lead in the ninth again on Wednesday, but a walk-off home run by Nelson Perez gave Peoria a 10-9 win over the Dayton Dragons. The win improves the Chiefs to 5-12 since the second half of the Midwest League season began.

The Dragons struck fin the first inning off starter Frank Batista. Didi Gregorius reached on an infield single and scored on a Henry Rodriguez double to right center. With Cameron Satterwhite batting, Rodriguez was caught stealing but a throwing error by Hak-Ju Lee allowed him to come all the way around and score, giving Dayton a 2-0 lead.

The Chiefs answered back in a big way off starter Justin Walker. Jae-Hoon Ha led off with a double before Perez drew a walk. Luis Flores then hit his first home run of the season to make it 3-2. The Chiefs weren't done, however, as Francisco Guzman doubled and advanced to third on a Lee single. Logan Watkins tripled down the right field line to score both runners and he later scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-2 Chiefs.

The Chiefs saw their lead cut in half in the fourth off reliever Ronny Morla. Mark Fluery reached on a two-base error by Justin Bour and scored on a Frank Pfister home run to make it 6-4.

The Chiefs got those runs back in the fifth off reliever Jamie Walczak. Guzman walked and advanced to third on a Lee double. A wild pitch allowed Guzman to score and put Lee on third and another wild pitch allowed Lee to score, making it 8-4.

The Chiefs added another run in the eighth off reliever Kevin Arico. Guzman singled and advanced to third on Lee's fourth hit of the game. Matt Cerda grounded out to first to score Guzman and make it 9-4.

The Dragons pulled back in the ninth off relievers Jordan Latham and Corey Martin to tie the game. Fleury singled but was out at second when Pfister reached on a fielders' choice. A wild pitch put Pfister on second before Josh Garton walked. Andrew Means doubled to score one run and put runners on second and third. Gregorius grounded out to score Garton and a wild pitch scored Means, making it a two-run game. Rodriguez reached on a third strike wild pitch before the Chiefs brought in Martin. Chris Richburg homered to left field on the third pitch he saw to tie the game 9-9.

The Chiefs came back to win in dramatic fashion in the ninth off reliever Junior Martinez. With two outs and the bases empty Nelson Perez stepped up and belted the first pitch he saw over the fence in left center for the walk-off win. It is Perez's third homer of the season and the Chiefs second walk-off of 2010.

Batista pitched three innings and gave up two runs, one earned, on five hits and struck out four. Morla threw three innings and gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits while striking out two. Yohan Gonzalez pitched two shutout innings and allowed one hit and struck out one. Latham pitched 2/3 of an inning and gave up four runs on two hits while walking one and striking one out. Martin (2-2) pitched 1/3 of an inning and gave up one run on one hit and struck one out.

Casey's General Store Player of the Game - Hak-Ju Lee (SS) - Lee went 4-for-5 and scored a pair of runs in his first career four-hit game. He also doubled and started a 6-4-3 double play to end the eighth inning.

Notes Lee had his team-leading 25th multi-hit game on WednesdayLee had his first-career four-hit gameThe last Chief to record four hits in a game was Cerda June 4 at South BendEvery Chiefs starter had at least one hitWatkins is tied for the team lead in triples with fiveFlores has four career homers, all in a Chiefs uniformThe last walk-off home run for the Chiefs was Cerda on May 3 against ClintonThe Chiefs, dead last in the Midwest League with 34 home runs, had not hit two in the same game since June 2 at South Bend, a span of 32 gamesThe win snaps a six game losing streak at O'Brien Field, a Chiefs recordThe Chiefs are now 20-9 in the first game of a seriesBatista made his first start of his career WednesdayThe Chiefs bullpen has allowed 16 runs in the ninth inning the last five games at O'Brien FieldLatham threw three wild pitches in the ninthThe Chiefs have blown their last four save opportunities at O'Brien FieldThe Chiefs and Dragons continue the series Thursday at 7:00 p.mThursday features an appearance by Team Ghost Riders, a troupe of monkeys riding dogs while herding sheepThursday is Qdoba Thursday, where fans can present their Qdoba card at the O'Brien Field box office for $2 dollars off a Club Box TicketThursday is also Thrifty Throwback Thursday-80's MTV NightThe Chiefs will start RH Nick Struck (2-8, 3.89) against Dragons RH Ricky Bowen (2-2, 4.50)The broadcast can be heard starting with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. on 96.5 ESPN and www.peoriachiefs.com

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Midwest League Stories from July 14, 2010


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