Chiefs Pound Snappers in Game 1
Beloit, WI- The Peoria Chiefs scored the first 10 runs of the game as Alex Reyes shut down the Beloit Snappers in game one of a scheduled double-header with the Chiefs winning 11-6. The win moves the Chiefs to 14-8 on the season while Beloit falls to 8-15.
"In a seven inning game you want to have them chasing you and we did that today," said Chiefs manager Joe Kruzel. "Alexander Reyes threw a gem today, he really went after their hitters and we were able to get a nice lead."
With rain coming down, the Chiefs jumped all over Beloit starter Junior Mendez in the second inning and they didn't let up until the visitors were on top 10-0. Ronald Castillo led off the second with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch. Kenny Peoples-Walls was hit by a pitch and both runners moved up on a Jimmy Bosco sacrifice bunt. Cesar Valera singled home both runners for a 2-0 lead and Jake Stone walked before Mendez got out of the inning.
Peoria broke the game open in the third inning and sent Mendez to the showers with four straight hits. Juan Herrera led off with a single and Carson Kelly followed with a single of his own. Castillo doubled home Herrera for a 3-0 lead and Peoples-Walls made it 4-0 with a single to center. With one down, Valera singled home another run and Beloit went to the bullpen. Dominique Vattuone allowed another run to score on a single by Stone and the Chiefs went up 9-0 as Valera scored on a Michael Schulze groundout. C.J. McElroy Jr. finished off the inning with a single to center for a 10-0 Chiefs lead.
While the Chiefs offense was knocking the ball around Pohlman Field, Alex Reyes was in command on the mound. The 19-year-old right-hander struck out the side in the first inning and added two more in the third. He got a strikeout to start the fourth and had not allowed a baserunner before the fifth inning started with a walk to B.A. Vollmuth. Reyes got a strikeout and flyout before Ryan Huck ended the no-hit and shutout bid with a two-run homer to left with two outs in the fifth. Reyes punctuated his outing with a strikeout of Sam Roberts to end the fifth.
The Chiefs added another run in the seventh as Kelly singled home Stone with one out. The Chiefs had the bases loaded looking for more before a double play ended the inning. Down 11-2, Beloit scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh in a steady downpour to finish off the scoring.
"The last couple times out he's (Reyes) looked sharp and today was no different," said Kruzel. "He got ahead with his fast ball, mixed in changeups and had a real nice curve to go with it. His fast ball was over powering today and he threw strikes with all three pitches.
Reyes (2-0) earned the win with one hit and two runs allowed over five innings. He struck out a season-high eight and walked one. Kevin Herget allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over 1 2/3 innings while striking out two. Jhonny Polanco got a strikeout and walked a batter in his 2014 debut.
Notes: The Chiefs tied a season-high for runs in an inning with six in the third…The seven hits in the third inning established a new season high for hits in an inning…Stone tied a team high with three runs scored…Five Chiefs had at least two hits led by Herrera who had three…Valera drove in a season-high three runs…Stone drew two walks and leads the Chiefs with 13…Schulze picked up his first RBI of the season…Reyes struck out a season-high eight and went five innings for the second time this season…He retired the first 12 Snappers with six strikeouts and only two balls hit out of the infield…Castillo is tied for the Midwest League with 18 RBI…Peoria is 7-1 in game one of a series this season…Game two is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. (an hour late) though rain in Beloit may push that back even further…The Chiefs will start RHP Nick Petree (2-0, 0.00) while Beloit changed starters after game one, switching to LH Brett Powers (1-1, 7.59).