Chiefs Beat Silver Hawks 2-1

The Peoria Chiefs returned home and extended their win streak to three games behind great pitching from Kyle Helisek to beat the South Bend Silver Hawks 2-1 on Wednesday night. The win moved the Chiefs to 13-12 in the second half and 51-41 overall, the first time they have been 10 games over .500 since September of 2009.

After both teams threatened to score in the third inning, the Chiefs broke the scoreless drought with a run in the bottom of the fourth off Jesse Darrah. Jacob Wilson led off the inning with a home run to left field, giving the Chiefs a 1-0 lead. The homer was number 13 for Wilson this year, tying him for the team lead with Patrick Wisdom.

The Silver Hawks evened up the score with a run in the top half of the fifth inning against Kyle Helisek. Mike Lang led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Pedro Ruiz ground out. Fidel Pena doubled to left to plate Ruiz and tie the game at 1-1. After runners reached second and third, Helisek escaped the inning with a strikeout of Rudy Flores.

The Chiefs pulled ahead with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jordan Walton walked to lead off the frame and moved to second on a Brevic Valera base-on-balls. After Nick Martini struck out, Ildemaro Vargas plated Walton on a two-out single, putting the Chiefs up 2-1 before Varlera was tagged out trying to advance to third on the play.

The Silver Hawks threatened against Thomas Lee in the eighth inning but did not score. Socrates Brito doubled to lead off the inning, but was tagged out at third on a fielder's choice ground out. Flores and Roidany Aguila both struck out to end the inning, keeping the Chiefs lead at 2-1. Zach Russell pitched a perfect ninth inning to preserve the lead and earn his third save.

Helisek (7-4) gave up one run on five hits and two walks while striking out six in seven innings. Lee earned his first hold of the year, pitching a scoreless inning while allowing a hit and striking out two. Russell tossed a perfect ninth, striking out two and getting his third save of the season.