By WJBC Staff
PEORIA – The Peoria Chiefs came through with some clutch hitting to beat the Great Lakes Loons 5-2 on Sunday evening. The win moves the Chiefs to 12 games over .500 for the first time this season at 53-41 and they are 13-11 in the second half with one game left on the homestand.
The Loons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning against Dailyn Martinez. Brendon Davis doubled with one out and moved to third on a grounder to shortstop. Davis scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch by Martinez.
The Chiefs tied the game in the third inning against Caleb Ferguson. Craig Aikin singled with one out and moved to second on a groundout by Edmundo Sosa. Eli Alvarez tied the game with a single to right as Aikin scored without a throw.
With the game tied in the fifth inning the Chiefs grabbed the lead for good. Aikin singled with one out and Sosa followed with a single to left to put runners on the corners. Aikin scored as Alvarez beat out a potential double play ball with Sosa out at second. Alvarez stole second and moved to third on a passed ball but was left in scoring position as Chris Chinea grounded out.
The Chiefs added on in the sixth against reliever Angel German. With two outs RJ Dennard collected his third hit of the game, a double to center field. Bladimil Franco put the Chiefs on top 3-2 with a double to left for his third RBI of the season.
Martinez hit two consecutive batters with two outs in the seventh inning. Luke Harrison came out of the bullpen and gave up a RBI single to Gage Green to cut the Chiefs lead to 3-2. With runners on the corners, Harrison struck out Darien Tubbs to end the inning.
The Chiefs extended the lead in the seventh inning against reliever Rob McDonnell. Aikin’s third hit of the game was a leadoff double and with one out Alvarez doubled for a 4-2 Chiefs lead. Alvarez stole third and scored on a two-out single by Godoy for a 5-2 lead.
Great Lakes threatened in the ninth inning against reliever Tyler Bray. Davis drew a leadoff walk and with one out Matt Jones singled to put runners on the corners. Garrett Hope hit a groundball to third base and Leo Pina threw to second for a force out. Davis broke for the plate and Alvarez threw him out to end the game on a 5-4-2 double play.
Martinez (2-2) earned the win allowing two runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked one, hit two batters and struck out a season-high eight. Harrison picked up his first hold of the season with 1 1/3 shutout innings in which he allowed one hit and struck out three. Bray earned his team-leading seventh save with a shutout inning in which he walked one, allowed a hit and struck out one.
