Chiefs Lose Late Lead, Fall to Kernels 4-2
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA- The Peoria Chiefs took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning but allowed three runs to the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a 4-2 loss Saturday night. The loss drops the Chiefs to 27-27 in the second half and 64-59 overall. The Chiefs are now 2 ½ games out of the wild card race with 16 games left to play.
The Kernels jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the third against Arturo Reyes. Ryan Walker doubled with two outs and Jonatan Hinojosa singled to right for the 1-0 lead. The Chiefs tied the game in the top of the fourth with an identical rally. Carson Kelly doubled with two outs off Lewis Thorpe and scored on a single by Justin Ringo.
The Chiefs went on top for the first time in the series in the top of the sixth. Richy Pedroza doubled to left-center to start the inning and with one out Thorpe was relieved by Chris Mazza. After a strikeout, Ringo doubled to left to score Pedroza and put the Chiefs on top 2-1.
Reyes kept the Chiefs ahead into the seventh inning before he issued a one-out walk and gave way to newcomer Tyler Bray. Bray, who arrived two hours before first pitch from State College, got a pop up and a strikeout to end the seventh.
The Chiefs couldn't add on in the eighth and Bray allowed a one-out walk and single in the bottom of the inning. With runners on the corners, Kyle Barraclough came into the game and Hinojosa put the Kernels on top 3-2 with a triple to center. The Kernels took a 4-2 lead as Hinojosa scored on a single by Engelb Vielma. The Chiefs went in order in the ninth against Jake Reed.
Reyes allowed one run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings in the no-decision. He struck out six and walked two. Bray (0-1) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk over one inning of work while recording a strikeout. Barraclough suffered his first blown save in seven chances. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk in 2/3 of an inning.
Notes: Vaughn Bryan's hit streak ended at eight games…CJ McElroy, who left Friday's game with a right-leg injury after making a diving catch in the bottom of the eighth inning did not play for the first time in 68 games…Pedroza batted second for just the second time all season…The Chiefs are now 48-6 when leading after seven innings…Reyes leads the Chiefs with 11 quality starts…Bray is the first 2014 Cardinals draftee to join the Chiefs…He was drafted in the 26th round out of Louisiana-Monroe and pitched 17 times for State College this season…The Chiefs and Kernels have played 15 times this season with the Chiefs winning 11…The series and roadtrip end Sunday at 2:05 p.m. as the Chiefs start LH Kyle Helisek (1-0, 6.43) against Kernels RH Ryan Eades (8-11, 5.67)…The broadcast can be heard, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 1:50 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.