MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Chiefs Win Series in Cedar Rapids, Magic Number is 1

Published on August 26, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


Cedar Rapids, IA-The Peoria Chiefs can clinch their first playoff berth in six years on Thursday after beating the Cedar Rapids Kernels 7-5 Wednesday night to win the series. The win, coupled with a Beloit loss to Kane County, lowers the Chiefs magic number to one with 12 games remaining. The Chiefs will clinch their first playoff spot since 2009 with a win Thursday in Quad Cities or of Beloit loses one of their doubleheader games in Wisconsin.

Cedar Rapids took a 2-0 lead over the first three innings against Chiefs starter Ian McKinney. Rafael Valera doubled with one out in the first and scored on a double by T.J. White. In the third inning Austin Diemer was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a walk to Sean Miller. An infield single loaded the bases with one out and White made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly.

The Chiefs took the lead in the fourth inning against Kernels starter Sam Clay. Oscar Mercado doubled and moved to third on a groundout before scoring on a wild pitch. Alex DeLeon singled and scored on a triple by Harrison Bader to tie the game. Nick Thompson's 54th RBI of the season came on a single up the middle to score Bader for the 3-2 lead.

Cedar Rapids came right back in the bottom of the fourth to regain the lead with a two-out rally started by a walk to Brian Navaretto. Diemer doubled to tie the game and Miller's single put the Kernels on top 4-3.

Peoria scored again in the fifth and never looked back. Darren Seferina singled to center with one out and Mercado reached on an error to put two on base. Paul DeJong beat out an infield single to load the bases and DeLeon tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center. Bader's second triple of the game put the Chiefs on top 6-4. Peoria added a run in the sixth as Brian O'Keefe clubbed his fourth home run of the season to left field.

McKinney (3-0) earned the win allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings while striking out five. Tyler Bray got a hold while striking out five and allowing one hit over two shutout innings. Jery Then picked up his first Chiefs save despite allowing a run on two hits in the ninth inning.

Notes: Bader tied the Chiefs single-game record with two triples, his first two triples in 50 pro games...Seferina had two triples on June 7 at Lansing...Bader also had his first career four-hit game...McKinney has gone at least six innings in all four Chiefs starts...DeLeon and Thompson are tied for the team lead with 54 RBI...The Chiefs went 5-5 in Cedar Rapids this season...The two teams have split 14 games and will play in Peoria Sunday - Tuesday...The Chiefs are 35-8 when scoring at least five runs...Then had a save for State College on August 11 and the run he allowed Wednesday was his first in nine innings with the Chiefs...Peoria last made the playoffs in 2009 as a Cubs affiliate...Kane County clinched a playoff spot by beating Beloit Wednesday night and the Chiefs would play KC in the first round September 9-11...The roadtrip continues Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Quad Cities as the Chiefs start LH Dewin Perez (2-5, 5.89) against RH Thomas Eshelman (0-0, 5.40)...The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:45 p.m., on  www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for a free app on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android...The broadcast is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the MiLB Inside the Park and Tune-In Radio Apps.

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Midwest League Stories from August 26, 2015


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