By WJBC Staff
PEORIA- The Peoria Chiefs scored three runs in the third inning and shutout the Burlington Bees 3-0 Saturday night in the first game of a seven-game homestand. The win moves the Chiefs to 29-31 in the second half and 69-61 on the season.
RJ Dennard led off the third inning with a double against Jesus Castillo and he moved to third on a groundout by Matt Davis. Craig Aikin doubled home Dennard for a 1-0 lead and Magneuris Sierra singled to put runners on the corners. Sierra stole second and both runners scored on a single by Jose Martinez for a 3-0 Chiefs lead. Eli Alvarez walked and Chris Chinea singled to load the bases but Jose Godoy grounded into an inning-ending double play
Chiefs starter Ryan Helsley (W, 9-2) allowed just one hit over five shutout innings in his longest stint since coming off the disabled list. Burlington only had a runner past first base once against home as they stranded a runner at second in the fifth inning.
Burlington lost a runner at second base for the final out in the sixth inning and left two on base in the seventh, both against Davis Ward. Bob Wheatley fired a hitless eighth inning with a walk and a double play. Steven De la Cruz completed the shutout in the ninth. He allowed a leadoff single and the Chiefs turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.