Chiefs Bats Silenced in 4-0 Loss

PEORIA, IL- The Peoria Chiefs allowed three runs in the first inning, and the Dayton Dragons pitchers kept the Chiefs off the scoreboard in a 4-0 Dragons win on Thursday night to take the rubber game of the three game series. The loss drops the Chiefs record to 3-4 while Dayton will leave town with a 4-3 record.

   Jimmy Reed started for the Chiefs and struggled after a leadoff strikeout. A double and a walk were followed by a Phil Ervin RBI single, and Ervin advanced to second on the throw. Sean Buckley followed with a two-run single to right giving the Dragons the quick 3-0 advantage. Reed settled down, and didn't allow another run, but the damage was done.

   Dayton almost tacked on more in the next inning, loading the bases on a pair of two-out singles, and a wild pitch preceded an intentional walk to Ervin but Buckley flew out to right to end the threat.

   The Chiefs got two runners on base with two out in the bottom of the second on Matthew Young and Jimmy Bosco singles, but Cesar Valera grounded out. Another opportunity was missed in the third when Carson Kelly and Jake Stone led off with singles, but Kenny Peoples-Walls hit into a double play and Young flew out deep to center. The Chiefs also put two men on in the sixth and couldn't score.

   Dayton got insurance in the eighth against Kevin Herget after two walks were mixed with a strikeout. Chris Thomas replaced Herget and got a strikeout before Sammy Diaz hit a double up the left field line to plate Sebastian Elizalde with their final run.

   After the tough first, Reed worked six innings allowing three runs for a quality start. He gave up three runs on eight hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Herget tossed 1 1/3 innings, charged with a run on one hit and two walks with two strikeouts. Thomas worked the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts.

Notes: This was the first shutout against the Chiefs since back-to-back blankings on August 23 and 24 of last year vs. Burlington and at Cedar Rapids…The Chiefs had seven hits, all singles, with Matthew Young having the only multi-hit game…The Chiefs were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, making them 0-for-11 during the two game losing streak…They were 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position in the series…Mason Katz, who is tied for the Midwest League lead with seven RBI, did not play for the first time this year…The Chiefs did not commit an error for the first time since the season opener…Reed is the first pitcher to throw six innings this season for the Chiefs, and it is also the first quality start…The Chiefs begin a three game series with the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) Friday at 6:30 p.m.…$1 hot dogs, $1 ice cream sandwiches and $1 sodas plus a free ticket to a future Monday-Wednesday game if the Chiefs lose to a future M-W game!$1 hot dogs, $1 ice cream sandwiches and $1 sodas plus a free ticket to a future Monday-Wednesday game if the Chiefs lose to a future M-W ga..RHP Silfredo Garcia (0-1, 2.25) will make the start for Peoria against LHP Chris Kirsch (0-1, 1.80)…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:10pm, on www.peoriachiefs.com/listenlive which also has downloads for a free app on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android. The broadcast is also available on the Peoria Chiefs Network in the Tune-In Radio App.