Chiefs Shutout Beloit to Even Series

The Peoria Chiefs recorded their first shut out since June 13 en route to a 2-0 victory over the Beloit Snappers on Friday night. The win moved the Chiefs record to 44-38 on the year and 6-9 in the second half of the regular season heading into Saturday's game.

     The Chiefs jumped on top early scoring a run in the first inning off Seth Streich. With two outs Jeremy Schaffer doubled, and after a Patrick Wisdom walk, Jordan Walton singled up the middle. His base-knock plated Schaffer and put the Chiefs up 1-0.

     The Snappers thought they tied the game the third inning against Hector Hernandez on a home run. With one out Nick Rickles hit what was originally called a homer just over the left-field fence by home plate umpire Jimmy Lott. The ball caromed back in play, and after a brief meeting between umpires the home run was changed to a double, keeping the Chiefs lead at 1-0.

    Peoria scored another run in the bottom of the third frame. Nick Martini was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and moved to third on a Breyvic Valera single with the hit-and-run on. A sacrifice fly to left field by Schaffer scored Martini, extending the Chiefs lead to 2-0.

    The Snappers only threat from that point on came in the sixth inning when they put a runner in scoring position against Joe Scanio. Rickles singled to lead off the inning, and was retired on a 6-4 fielders choice leaving Dayton Alexander at first. Daniel Robertson singled to right to put runners on the corners, but Scanio got of the inning by striking out Chris Bostick to end the frame and keep the Chiefs lead at 2-0, which would ultimately be the final score.

     Hernandez (5-3) gave up no runs on one hit and no walks while striking out two. Scanio tossed three scoreless innings surrendering three hits while fanning two. Zach Russell pitched a perfect ninth while striking out two to earn his first save as a Chief.