Chiefs hold on for win over Rattlers

PEORIA, IL - The Peoria Chiefs scored six runs in the first three innings to take a 6-1 lead over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Peoria withstood a couple of late Wisconsin rallies and held on for a 6-4 win at O'Brien Field. The game, which started on Wednesday before being suspended due to severe weather, concluded on Thursday.

The Rattlers (26-20) grabbed the lead on Wednesday on an RBI infield single by Chris Dennis the drove in Reggie Keen from third base.

But, the Chiefs (26-20) responded in the bottom of the first against Wisconsin starting pitcher Charly Bashara. Cleanup batter Richard Jones doubled with runners on first and second to drive in a run and tie the game. Ryan Cuneo's flyball to left-center was dropped and allowed two runs to score.

In the second, Peoria built their lead to 5-1 on a two-out, two-run home run to left by Pierre LePage.

Severe thunderstorms and a tornado warning halted the game after the Rattlers were retired by Graham Hicks, Peoria's starting pitcher, in the top of the third on Wednesday night.

The game resumed on Thursday with Brooks Hall taking over for Bashara to pitch the bottom of the third. An RBI single by Elliot Soto put the Chiefs up 6-1.

Wisconsin loaded the bases with two outs against Peoria reliever Cam Greathouse in the top of the fourth, but lefty escaped without allowing a run.

Nick Shaw pulled the Rattlers to within 6-3 on a two-run double. Chris Dennis followed with a sharp single to right and Shaw rounded third to head for the plate. But, the throw home beat Shaw for the second out. Wisconsin did not score again in the fifth.

The Rattlers would score again in the sixth. Greg Hopkins drove in a run with an infield single to make the score 6-4 against reliever Robinson Lopez. A walk to the next batter put runners on the corners and brought the lead run to the plate. However, Lopez regrouped get the final out of the sixth and to set down the Rattlers in order in the top of the seventh to record his first save of the season.

Wednesday's game was scheduled for seven innings instead of nine because it was the first game of a doubleheader.

HOME RUN:
PEO:
Pierre LePage (2nd, 1 on in 2nd inning, off Charly Bashara, 2 out)

WP: Cameron Greathouse (3-3)
LP: Charly Bashara (2-3)
SAVE: Robinson Lopez (1)

TIME: 2:05 (:47 delay)