Chiefs clinch playoff spot

Posted on June 19, 2016

*Chiefs and LumberKings end first half tied for first place. (Chiefs, WJBC)*

By WJBC Staff

PEORIA – For the first time since 2006 the Peoria Chiefs have clinched a playoff spot in the first half of the season after an 8-3 win Saturday night over the Burlington Bees. With a record of 39-30 the Chiefs are tied for first place with the Clinton LumberKings but both teams clinched playoff spots Saturday. The Chiefs can still finish in first place with a Sunday win and a loss by Clinton.

The Chiefs recorded an out at the plate in the top of the first to keep the Bees from scoring. Peoria then got to work against Joe Gatto in the bottom of the inning. Edmundo Sosa singled with one out in the first and Eli Alvarez launched his second home run of the season into the left field berm for a 2-0 Chiefs lead. Both of Alvarez’s home runs have come at home against the Bees with the other one coming back in April.

Peoria blew the game open in the second inning. Jose Godoy singled to right and Thomas Spitz tripled into the left-field corner for a 3-0 Chiefs lead. With one out Vaughn Bryan walked and Magneuris Sierra singled to left for a 4-0 Chiefs lead. Sosa singled to load the bases and Alvarez gave the Chiefs a 6-0 lead with a single to right. Sosa scored on a groundout by Brian O’Keefe and Godoy’s second hit of the inning plated Alvarez for an 8-0 Chiefs lead.

Burlington scored an unearned run off Chiefs starter Ryan Helsley in the third inning. Angelo Amendolare reached on an error by Sosa and scored on a two-out double by Michael Hermosillo.

The Bees plated two runs in the seventh against reliever Harley Holt. Jordan Serena singled and went to third on a single by Brendon Sanger. Jordan Walsh singled to score Serena and Sanger came home as well when Sierra booted the ball in center for an error and an 8-3 Chiefs lead.

Helsley (7-1) picked up the win as he allowed just one unearned run on eight hits over six innings. The All-Star struck out seven and walked one. Holt allowed two runs, one earned on four hits over two innings while striking out one. Luke Harrison

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…