Chiefs Snap Losing Streak With 6-5 Win
The Chiefs took an early lead in the first inning 1-0. Cliff Andersen led off with a single to right. After two fly-outs, Kyler Burke hit an RBI double and was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple, as Andersen scored.
The Chiefs lead was short lived when Cedar Rapids took a 3-1 advantage in the third. Tyson Auer began the rally with a one out walk. Alexi Amarusta singled, advancing Auer to third. Hector Estrella hit an RBI double, bringing in Auer. Matt Crawford singled to left, plating Amarusta and Estrella but was thrown out at second giving the Kernels a 3-1 lead. The Kernels added on to their lead in the fourth. Beau Brooks singled to right after Gabe Jacobo struck out looking. Adam Younger singled to right advancing Brooks to second. A wild pitch by Chiefs starter Marcus Hatley advanced Brooks to third. Darwin Perez singled to score Brooks and after an error in right field, Younger was thrown out at the plate by Peoria's Nelson Perez.
The Chiefs answered back in the fourth with two home runs. Kyler Burke led off the inning with a walk. Josh Vitters hit his first home run of the season, cutting into the Kernels lead 4-3. After two outs, Perez hit his second home run of the season, a towering shot of the batters eye in straight-away center, tying the game at four.
The Chiefs regained the lead in the fifth 6-4. Kernels reliever Kevin Nabors began the inning striking out Andersen. Josh Harrison singled to left and then stole second with Rebel Ridling at the plate. Ridling hit an RBI double to left, scoring Harrison for a 5-4 lead. A wild pitch by Nabors advanced Ridling to third and Burke singled to right, scoring Ridling to give the Chiefs their second lead of the night 6-4.
Cedar Rapids answered with a home run of their own in the sixth. Chiefs reliever Chris Huseby gave up his first home run of the season to first-baseman Jacobo making the score 6-5.
Making his third appearance this season, Hatley allowed four runs on eight hits over five innings while walking one and striking out two in a winning effort. Chris Huseby tossed two innings and allowed one run on two hits. Mike Perconte allowed two hits and struck out three without allowing a run in 1 2/3 innings. Ryan Buchter picked up his second save of the season by retiring Amarista to end the game.
Casey's General Store Player of the Game: Kyler Burke (OF) - Burke was 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and a walk scored in the Chiefs win. Batting in the clean up spot for the first time this season, he gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead in the first and then added an insurance run with an RBI single in the fifth.
Notes:Rebel Ridling now has a five game hit streak and leads the league with seven doubles...The Chiefs hit two homers in the same game for just the second time this season...Hatley earned a win as a starter for the first time in his career...The Chiefs are now 3-0 in the first game in a series at home...It is the second time this season the Chiefs registered two out field assists in the same game...Burke had his first multi-hit game of the season...The Chiefs scored first for the ninth time this season and is 2-7 when scoring first...The second game of the four game series will begin Sunday at 2:00 PM...Sunday is KIDS EAT FREE! where all kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a hot dog, chips and soda as they enter O'Brien Field...It is also Disney Day where the Chiefs celebrate all things Disney with music, costumes, games and video clips...All kids 12 and under will also have the opportunity to run the bases after the game and get a chance to play in the Fun on the Run Inflatables during the game for FREE!... Players will sign autographs on the concourse following the game as well...The Chiefs will start RH Justin Bristow (0-0, 0.00) against Kernels RH Christian Scholl (1-0, 3.00)...The game can be heard starting with the pre-game show at 1:45 PM on 96.5 ESPN Radio and www.peoriachiefs.com.