Chiefs Beat Kernels Friday
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Peoria Chiefs scored eight runs in the first two innings and pounded out 14 hits to knock off the Cedar Rapids Kernels 13-4 Friday night. The win improves the Chiefs to 29-24 on the season, one game behind the Kernels in the standings, with two games left in the series.
The Chiefs wasted no time getting on the board against starting pitcher Miles Nordgren in the top of the first. Magneuris Sierra led off the game and reached on an error by the Kernels first baseman. With one out Eli Alvarez walked and Brian O'Keefe launched his team-leading third home run of the season to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead.
The Chiefs sent nine hitters to the plate in the second inning to break the game open. Vaughn Bryan led off with a single up the middle and Dylan Becker followed with a single to right-center. Craig Aikin gave the Chiefs a 4-0 lead with a single to right and Sierra reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Edmundo Sosa provided the fifth straight single of the inning as he drove in Becker and Aikin for a 6-0 Chiefs lead. Eli Alvarez drove in both Sierra and Sosa with a single to left-center for an 8-0 lead before Nordgren finally got out of the inning.
The Kernels scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth against Chiefs starting pitcher Derian Gonzalez. Zander Wiel drew a walk and was erased on a fielders' choice by Luis Arraez. Arraez moved to second on a single by Daniel Kihle and scored the Kernels first run of the game on a single by Nelson Molina. With two outs Alex Perez singled to score Kihle and the Chiefs lead was 8-2.
Cedar Rapids knocked Gonzalez from the game in the fifth. LaMonte Wade drew a lead-off walk and AJ Murray singled to put runners at first and second. With one out, Arraez grounded into a fielders' choice and Kihle singled to score Wade to cut the Chiefs lead to 8-3. After a RBI single from Nelson Molina, Jorge Rodriguez came in to relieve Gonzalez to close out the inning with the Chiefs up 8-4.
The Chiefs put the game away in the ninth against Kernels reliever Cam Booser. With one out Chris Chinea walked and moved to third on two wild pitches before Thomas Spitz walked. Bryan singled home Chinea and the Chiefs had a 9-4 lead. Becker was hit by a pitch to load the bases and with two outs Sierra singled to score two runs for an 11-4 lead. Sosa walked to load the bases for the second time in the inning and Alvarez collected his fourth hit of the night to drive in Becker and Sosa for a 13-4 lead.
Gonzalez took a no-decision pitching 4 2/3 innings allowing four runs on nine hits wile striking out six and and walking three. Rodriguez (1-0) picked up his first win in relief and struck out two, walked one and did not give up a run or a hit in 2 1/3 innings. Luke Harrison struck out two and did not allow a base runner in two innings of work.
Notes…The Chiefs inch to within one game of the first place Kernels in the Western Division…The Chiefs had two five-run innings in the same game for the first time all season…Alvarez had his first four-hit game of the season going 4-for-5…The Chiefs tied their season high with six hits in an inning in the second…The Chiefs only had one extra base hit in the game (14 overall)…The Chiefs are 20-1 when scoring five runs or more…The Chiefs are now .500 on the road with a record of 13-13…The Chiefs are 8-3 in their the last 11 games…The Chiefs are 27-11 when allowing four runs or less… Joe Kruzel was ejected for the first time this season after arguing a foul ball call in the top of the eighth during a Sierra plate appearance…The series continues Saturday at 6:35 p.m. as the Chiefs start RHP Sandy Alcantara (3-0, 2.28) against Kernels RHP Cody Stashak (2-3, 2.58)…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:20 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 Tune-In Radio App.