Chiefs explode for season-high 9 runs to even series

Posted on April 18, 2016

By WJBC Staff

GRAND CHUTE, Wisc. – The Peoria Chiefs offense broke out with a season high in both runs and hits on Sunday as they beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 9-2 to even the series and finish the road trip. The win moves the Chiefs to 5-5 on the season heading into a seven-game homestand that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Monday against Clinton.

The game was scoreless after an inning when the Chiefs used a two-out rally against Wisconsin starter Jake Drossner to take the lead. Brian O’Keefe led off with a single and with two outs Vaughn Bryan singled to right. Craig Aikin put the Chiefs on top 2-0 with a double to center and Thomas Spitz added a RBI double for a 3-0 lead. Eli Alvarez extended the lead to 4-0 with a double of his own off the base of the center field wall.

With Junior Fernandez shutting down the Timber Rattlers bats, the Chiefs added on in the fourth inning to knock Drossner from the game. With one out, Aikin reached on an error by Drossner, Spitz singled to left and Alvarez walked to load the bases. Conor Harber replaced Drossner before Edmundo Sosa beat out an infield single for a 5-0 lead and Magneuris Sierra singled to left for a 6-0 Chiefs cushion.

The Chiefs added on in the fifth inning against Harber. Ryan McCarvel drew a lead off walk and Leo Pina followed with a walk. After a strikeout, Aikin drew a walk to loaded the bases and McCarvel scored on a groundout by Spitz. Alvarez delivered another double as Pina and Aikin both scored for a 9-0 Chiefs lead.

Fernandez (2-0) earned the win as he allowed just one run on five hits over seven innings while striking out three and walking three. Chandler Hawkins threw a shutout inning while allowing one hit and striking out two. Luke Harrison allowed one unearned run on two hits while striking out one in his lone inning of work.

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