Chiefs Fall 3-2 Saturday
Peoria, IL-The Peoria Chiefs almost mounted a comeback in the ninth inning, but fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2 in game one of the Western Division Finals Saturday Night. The Chiefs will travel to Cedar Rapids for a must-win game two of the three-game series at 4:05 Sunday.
The Kernels struck in the first frame against Chiefs starter Matt Pearce. Rafael Valera led off the game with a walk, and with two outs T.J. White also drew a walk. LaMonte Wade put the Kernels on top 1-0 with a ground rule double to right-center.
The Chiefs responded immediately against Kernels starter Keaton Steele. Darren Seferina singled and Oscar Mercado was hit by a pitch. Seferina moved to third when Paul DeJong reached on a fielder's choice and came home on a sacrifice fly by Harrison Bader to tie the game at one.
Cedar Rapids took the lead in the seventh against Pearce. With one out, Chris Paul was hit by a pitch and Max Murphy drilled a home run over the left field wall to make it 3-1 Kernels.
The Chief srallied in the ninth against Kernels closer Nick Anderson, but ultimately fell short. Kenny Peoples-Walls led off with a triple and Seferina singled him home to make it 3-2. Mercado struck out looking and Seferina stole second to get into scoring position as DeJong struck out. With the tying run in scoring position Anderson struck out Harrison Bader to end the game.
Pearce (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks, striking out five over six and a third innings of work. Tyler Bray struck out one in two-thirds of an inning pitched. Steve Sabatino struck out two over an inning and a third of hitless work. Jerry Then struck out one over two-thirds of an inning of relief.
Notes: The Chiefs have had seven straight games decided by one run, dating back to the regular season September 4 against Burlington…The Chiefs are 2-3 all-time against the Kernels in the playoffs and have lost three straight dating back to a 2009 first-round sweep…The Chief smust win the next two games in Cedar Rapids, where they went 5-5 in the regular season…Pearce went at least six innings for the 16th time this season…He allowed his first home run since giving up two in the same game August 1 at Beloit…The Chiefs and Kernels will continue the Western Division Finals in Cedar Rapids Sunday at 4:05 p.m., and game three, if needed, will be in Cedar Rapids at 6:35 p.m. Monday…Sunday's pitching matchup features Peoria LH Ian McKinney (3-1, 2.58) against Cedar Rapids LH Randy Rosario (2-6, 3.52)…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 3:50 p.m., 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 MiLB Inside the Park and Tune-In Radio Apps.