By WJBC Staff
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Peoria Chiefs bounced back from their worst loss in team history to beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 7-4 on Tuesday night.
The win lowers the magic number to three for a playoff spot as the Chiefs improve to 36-21 in the second half and 69-56 on the season.
After leaving a couple of runners on base in the first two innings, the Chiefs broke through against Kernels starter Felix Jorge in the top of the fourth inning. Harrison Bader doubled with one out and scored on a throwing error by shortstop Nick Gordon on an infield single by Nick Thompson. Jake Gronsky walked to put two on base and the Chiefs loaded the bases when left fielder Max Murphy dropped a fly ball off the bat of Steve Bean. Kenny Peoples-Walls put the Chiefs on top 3-0 with a two-run single up the middle and Darren Seferina’s single to right brought home Bean for a 4-0 lead.
Cedar Rapids got on the board in the bottom of the inning against Matt Pearce. Edgar Corcino’s grounder off the glove of Seferina at second base was ruled a double and he moved to third on a groundout. Corcino scored on a groundout to second by Murphy to cut the Chiefs lead to 4-1.
The Chiefs extended their lead in the top of the seventh against reliever Luke Bard. Paul DeJong singled to left and stole second with two outs. Thompson’s second double of the game brought home DeJong for a 5-1 lead. The Kernels got a lead off triple from Alex Real in the bottom of the inning and he scored on a Brian Navaretto groundout to cut the Chiefs lead to 5-2.
Peoria scored two more against Bard in the eighth. Bean led off with a double to right center and moved to third on a wild pitch. A single by Peoples-Walls gave the Chiefs a 7-2 lead and Serferina’s single put runners on the corners. A double play ball off the bat of Oscar Mercado scored Peoples-Walls for the 8-2 lead.
The Kernels rallied in the eighth against reliever Nick Frey. With one down Frey walked Nick Gordon and gave up a single to Edgar Corcino. TJ White doubled home both runners to cut the Chiefs lead to 7-4. Closer Kyle Grana came out of the bullpen and struck out Murphy before Real grounded out to end the threat.
Pearce (10-10) earned the win with seven strong innings in which he allowed two runs on six hits. The righthander struck out three and hit one without issuing a walk. Frey allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in 1/3 of an inning. Grana hit a batter and struck out three over 1 2/3 innings to earn his 21st save of the season.
