Peoria, IL – The Peoria Chiefs came back from a six-run deficit to defeat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 7-6 Saturday night. The win improves the Chiefs to 35-27 and increases their Western Division lead to 1 ½ games heading into the Sunday night series finale
Cedar Rapids grabbed the lead in the top of the first against Chiefs starter Jake Woodford sending ten hitters to the plate. Sean Miller doubled on the first pitch of the game and Daniel Kihle walked. AJ Murray doubled with one out to score both runners for a 2-0 Kernels lead. Back-to-back doubles by JJ Fernandez and Kevin Garcia with two outs put the Kernels on top 4-0. Brad Hartong reached on an infield single and Jermaine Palacios double home two more for a 6-0 Kernels lead.
The Chiefs finally rallied in the fifth inning against Kernels starter Eddie Del Rosario. Leo Pina was hit by a pitch, Craig Aikin singled and both runners scored on Magnueris Sierra’s triple. Down 6-2, Eli Alvarez drew a walk that ended the night for Del Rosario as Williams Ramirez came out of the bullpen. Alvarez was thrown out stealing second before Sierra scored on a wild pitch. Brian O’Keefe was hit by a pitch and Chris Chinea went deep for the second day in a row cutting the Kernels lead to 6-5.
The Chiefs pulled ahead in the bottom of the seventh after Peoria reliever Juan Perez kept the Kernels off the board for three innings. Sosa drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on an errant pick-off attempt. Alvarez was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch to put two in scoring position. O’Keefe singled home Sierra to tie the game and Chinea scored Alvarez on a sac fly to give the Chiefs a 7-6 lead.
Woodford got a no-decision after allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out one and walking one in four innings of work. Perez (3-1) picked up the win in relief with three shutout innings allowing two hits while striking out two and walking one. Harrison earned the save (3) pitching two innings retiring all six hitters he faced and recording two strikeouts.
