MWL Peoria Chiefs

Rajcic Grounds Sky Carp, Chiefs Win 5-0

Published on August 10, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


Beloit, WI- The Peoria Chiefs earned their 10th win in their last 11 tries behind a dominant outing from Max Rajcic in a 5-0 blanking of the Beloit Sky Carp. For Peoria, it was their sixth shutout win of the season and their third of the month.

Rajcic was not challenged through much of the contest Thursday. The right-hander was perfect through four innings and allowed just two balls to leave the infield. Beloit's Tanner Allen broke up the bid for the perfect game in the bottom of the fifth with the Sky Carp's first hit of the contest.

The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning when the Peoria offense broke through against the Beloit bullpen. Chris Mokma took over for starter Ike Buxton who scattered just four hits over five shutout innings in his own right. After Mokma retired R.J. Yeager, the next four batters reached to open the door for the Chiefs. Following a Jimmy Crooks single, Chris Rotondo laced a double into the left field corner to plate Crooks and give Peoria the 1-0 edge. Following a Thomas Francisco walk, Osvaldo Tovalin singled in Rotondo to double the lead. Then, a Jeremy Rivas bunt plated Francisco from third to make it 3-0. Brody Moore, who collected two more hits Thursday, capped off the scoring in the sixth with an RBI triple to right field.

The 4-0 lead was more than enough for Rajcic. The former UCLA star worked around a one-out walk in the sixth to keep the shutout intact. In the seventh, he retired the Sky Carp in order, including a pair of strikeouts. On his 99th and final pitch, Rajcic froze Tanner Allen for his fourth strikeout of the night. All told, Rajcic surrendered just two hits over seven innings and allowed three baserunners in total. The 22-year-old has not allowed a run over his last 14 innings of work.

After a pair of wild pitches aided the Chiefs to a 5-0 lead, the bullpen recorded the final six outs with little drama. Joseph King rolled a 4-6-3 double play to face the minimum in the eighth. Jack Ralston worked around a pair of baserunners in the ninth to end the contest.

With the win, Peoria moved to seven games over .500 for the second time this season to tie their high-water mark.

The series continues Friday from Beloit. Ian Bedell will take the ball for Peoria. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

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