Chiefs Top Kernels 3-1 In Silva Rehab
The Chiefs got on the board first, scoring in the second off starter Max Russell. With one out and the bases empty Jae-Hoon Ha belted a solo home run into the left field berm. It was his sixth home run this season off a left-handed pitcher and gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.
Following two and 2/3 innings of work from Silva the Chiefs brought in Robinson Lopez, who gave up a game-tying home run of his own in the fifth. With two outs and no one on base Terrell Alliman took a 2-0 pitch just over the fence in left to tie the game 1-1.
The Chiefs used the long ball to their advantage again in the sixth, still facing Russell. Logan Watkins reached on a fielding error by Casey Haerther at first base before DJ Fitzgerald hit a deep fly ball that kept carrying for a home run into the berm in left for a 3-1 Chiefs lead.
The Kernels threatened in the ninth off reliever Corey Martin. With two outs and the bases empty Michael Wing walked and advanced to third on a Justin Bass single that deflected off the leg of Martin and into center field. A wild pitch did not get far enough from home plate to score Wing, but did allow Bass to reach second as the tying run. Martin then ran the count full to Alliman before getting a breaking ball over the plate for strike three to preserve the victory.
Silva pitched two and 2/3 innings and did not surrender a run on two hits and struck out one. He allowed two singles, one on the infield, and a batter reached on an error. Lopez went three and 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits while walking one and striking out one. Ronny Morla threw one and 2/3 innings and did not allow a base runner while striking out three. Martin pitched a scoreless final inning, allowing one hit while walking one and striking out the final batter of the game.
Casey's General Store Player of the Game: Frank Batista (RHP) - Fitzgerald went 2-for-4 and hit a two-run home run in the sixth to put the Chiefs on top for good.
Notes... Silva was the third Cub to rehab for the Chiefs this season, the Chiefs are 3-1 with Cub rehabbers this season...Silva officially threw 50 pitches, 31 for strikes...Justin Bour grounded into his team-leading 12th double play in the first...Ha leads the team in home runs against left-handed pitchers with six, Luis Flores is second with three...Hak-Ju Lee had his 35th multi-hit game of the season, tied for the team lead with Bour...Lopez got his first win as a Chief and fourth of the season, he won three as a member of the Rome Braves...Watkins' seven-game hit streak came to an end on Friday...Martin became the first Chiefs pitcher with a save on consecutive nights in 2010...The Chiefs finish the season with an 8-10 record against Clinton on the season, 7-6 at home...The Chiefs are now 17-24 in the final game of a series, 9-12 at home...The Chiefs won the series three games to one and now have a series record of 20-19-2 on the season, 13-7-1 at home...The Chiefs start their final home series of the regular season on Saturday at 6:30 when they take on the Clinton LumberKings ... Saturday is the final spectacular Fireworks Show of the season...There will also be a pre-game ceremony to honor the Chiefs players and coaches that includes the naming of the 2010 Chiefs MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Community Service Award and the prestigious Ryne Sandberg Award, ceremony starts at 6:00 p.m... Saturday is also Chicago R&B Night with music from your favorite Chicago area artists...There will be a post-game Pitch-In For Charity Tennis Balls Toss to raise money for the Olympia Country Swimmers where fans have a chance to wins numerous prizes including a 60" HD LGTV courtesy of Shermans...The Chiefs will pitch RH Marcus Hatley (0-0, 5.00) against Clinton LH Nick Czyz (4-4, 4.71)...The broadcast can be heard starting with the pregame show at 6:15 p.m. on 96.5 ESPN and www.peoriachiefs.com