By WJBC Staff
PEORIA – The Peoria Chiefs started 90 minutes behind schedule, but still managed to win their series opener with the Beloit Snappers 6-0 Friday night. The win moves the Chiefs to 18-16 on the season and gives them five wins in their last nine games.
The game was scoreless into the third inning when the Chiefs got to Snappers hurler Junior Mendez. Alex DeLeon led off with a double to left field and scored on a Danny Diekroeger triple to right. When Beloit right fielder Shawn Duinkerk’s throw was wild to the infield, Diekroeger came around to score for a 2-0 lead. Newcomer Casey Turgeon doubled to the wall in left field and with one out Nick Thompson was hit by a pitch. Justin Ringo walked to load the bases and Turgeon scored on a fielders’ choice off the bat of Collin Radack. Radack stole second and when the throw by catcher Argenis Raga sailed into center, Thompson came home for a 4-0 lead.
Chiefs starter Matt Pearce kept the Snappers off the board through a career-high seven innings. Beloit did not have a runner past second base until the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs. Pearce got Joe Bennie to fly out to right to end the threat, and then threw a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
The Chiefs extended their lead in the bottom of the seventh. Steve Bean led off with a walk against new Snappers pitcher Cody Stull. DeLeon singled and Diekroeger doubled down the left field line to drive in Bean. Turgeon was hit by a pitch to load the bases and with two outs Ringo walked to drive in another run for the 6-0 lead.
Pearce (3-2) got the win with seven shutout innings of three-hit ball, striking out three and walking only one. Jhonny Polanco came in and worked two hitless innings. He struck out the side in order in the eighth and walked one batter and struck out two more in the ninth.
