Nine Unanswered Runs Propel Chiefs over Whitecaps
PEORIA, IL – On a fireworks night at Dozer Park, the Peoria Chiefs' offense lit up the scoreboard with nine unanswered runs to take down the West Michigan Whitecaps, 9–5, on Thursday. Trailing 5–0 through the first two innings, the Chiefs stormed back with a relentless offensive attack that started
PEORIA, IL – On a fireworks night at Dozer Park, the Peoria Chiefs' offense lit up the scoreboard with nine unanswered runs to take down the West Michigan Whitecaps, 9–5, on Thursday.
Trailing 5–0 through the first two innings, the Chiefs stormed back with a relentless offensive attack that started in the third inning and never let up.
In the third inning, Michael Curialle started the comeback with a leadoff single and a stolen base, then came around to score on a single from Jon Jon Gazdar. Tre Richardson followed with a double to left, scoring Gazdar to make it 5–2. Ryan Campos capped the rally with an RBI double to center field, bringing home Richardson and cutting the deficit to 5–3.
Two innings later, Peoria took the lead. With two outs and Gazdar aboard, Campos ripped another double, this one to right field, to make it a one-run game. After a walk and hit batter loaded the bases, Graysen Tarlow delivered a clutch two-run single to right, giving the Chiefs a 6–5 advantage.
Peoria kept piling on. In the sixth inning, Anyelo Encarnacion launched a towering solo home run to left field to push the lead to 7–5. Encarnacion, called up to Peoria earlier in the week, appeared in 24 games for the Chiefs last season.
The scoring continued in the seventh inning. Chase Adkison drove in a run with a single to make it 8–5, then came around to score on an RBI double from Won-Bin Cho to cap the nine-run outburst.
Peoria’s bullpen was lights out. Right-handers Tyler Bradt, Tanner Jacobson, and Benjamin Arias combined for 7 ⅓ scoreless innings of relief, scattering five hits and striking out six. Jacobson earned the win, striking out four over 2 ⅔ innings to notch his fifth victory of the year and lower his ERA to 3.00. Dating back to Wednesday, the Peoria bullpen has not allowed a run over its last 13 ⅔ innings.
Nine of the ten Peoria hitters recorded a hit in the game, with Jon Jon Gazdar, Tre Richardson, and Ryan Campos each collecting two in the win.
The Chiefs will look to tie the series at two games a piece on Friday evening, with right-hander Jose Davila slated to start for Peoria. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Chiefs will celebrate Christmas in July at the ballpark, as the first 1,000 fans through the gates to receive a Santa hat.