By WJBC Staff
PEORIA – The Peoria Chiefs ended their three-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the Kane County Cougars on Tuesday night. Rehabbing St. Louis Cardinals infielder Jhonnny Peralta went 2-for-3 and scored a run to help improve the Chiefs record to 22-22 as these two teams resume their series at Dozer Park Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.
Peralta, in his fourth rehab start for the Chiefs, batted second in the line-up as the designated hitter. He flied out to right in the first, singled and scored in the third and reached on an infield single in his final at-bat of the night in the fourth. He is expected to play third base and get three at-bats in his final scheduled rehab game on Wednesday.
Starting pitcher Jake Woodford was the story of the game for the Chiefs as the 19-year-old didn’t allow a runner past second base and threw eight shutout innings against the Cougars. He allowed a two-hit double to Jason Morozowski in the third inning before retiring 11 batters in a row. Trevor Mitsui singled with one out in the seventh to end that streak before Woodford retired five in a row to get through the eighth. He was given a shot at a complete game but two straight singles in the ninth ended his night and Jorge Rodriguez finished the game with a save.
After not having a lead for two straight games the Chiefs struck first against Kane County starter Carlos Hernandez. With two outs in the second inning, Thomas Spitz singled and scored on Brian O’Keefe’s sixth double of the season to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.
The Chiefs added to their lead in the third inning against Hernandez. Peralta singled with one out, Edmundo Sosa walked and Eli Alvarez walked to load the bases. With two down, Spitz drew a bases loaded walk for a 2-0 lead before Hernandez escaped the inning with a flyout to right.
The Chiefs added on in the fourth inning while knocking Hernandez from the game. Craig Aikin walked with one out and he scored on a double to center by Magneuris Sierra. Joel Payamps took over on the mound and Peralta beat out an infield single to put runners on the corners before the Cougars escaped the inning.
Peoria added the final run in the eighth against reliever Cameron Gann. Spitz led off with a single to center and O’Keefe walked. With two outs, Sierra singled to second base to plate Spitz for the 4-0 lead.
Woodford (3-3) earned his third straight win as he allowed just four hits over eight shutout innings. He faced two batters in the ninth and finished the game with five strikeouts and no walks. Rodriguez earned his first career save with one inning in which he recorded a strikeout and got a double play.
