By WJBC Staff
PEORIA – Starting pitcher Brennan Leitao struck out 10 batters over eight shutout innings as the Peoria Chiefs beat the Dayton Dragons 5-0 Friday night in less than two hours. The win moves the Chiefs to 12-16 on the season and they go for the sweep in the homestand finale Saturday night.
The only time all game the Dragons put two runners on base at the same time came with two outs in the top of the first on a walk and single. Leitao got a ground ball to end the inning and struck out two Dragons with a runner on second base in the second inning.
Peoria’s offense got to work in the bottom of the second against Franderlyn Romero with the help of some shaky Dayton defense. Chris Chinea reached on an error at shortstop and RJ Dennard singled off the glove of Romero to put runners on the corners. Chinea scored on a groundout by Thomas Spitz to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.
Leitao retired eight straight in the middle innings and the Chiefs added two runs in the fourth against Romero. Chinea singled with one out and Spitz moved him to third with a two-out single. Jose Godoy’s double to left brought home both runners and put the Chiefs on top 3-0.
The Chiefs finished off Romero in the sixth. Eli Alvarez led off with a double and scored on a double to center by Chinea. After Spitz singled with one out, Godoy drove in Chinea for a 5-0 lead before a double play ended the inning.
Leitao retired the Dragons in order in the sixth and seventh. He started the eighth inning with his 10th strikeout of the night before Zach Shields singled to right. A double play ball by Brantley Bell ended the inning and Leitao’s night at 85 pitches.
Leitao (2-2) earned the win with a career-high eight innings and a career-high 10 strikeouts. He walked one and allowed five hits, three to Shields. Chandler Hawkins threw the ninth inning allowing one hit and recording a strikeout.
